Throwing children in prison to help families. A proposal for Nordio and also for Roccella

Following the events in Milan (not the Five Days nor the raid on the bakeries of Manzonian fame, but the smashing of shop windows by the Maranza group), the Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, announced plans for new juvenile detention centres. The statement caused a stir and sparked outrage, with accusations that the government was focusing solely on repression; reactions that led Nordio himself to issue a partial retraction, stating, ‘I never dreamt of calling for mass arrests of young people’ (partly to avert an excess of episodes of ‘Mare Fuori’ on RaiPlay) and announcing his retirement from politics to return to his cats – amongst whom, upon hearing the news, bewilderment spread and a stampede began across the rooftops of neighbouring buildings. It is worth noting, however, that prisons are widely regarded as one of Italy’s weakest institutions; therefore, proposing one problem as a solution to another has been criticized as ill-conceived. However, the error made by those who criticised the minister’s proposal lies in having assessed it within the context of security; when, in reality, I believe the minister’s initiative should be viewed more broadly within the framework of policies supporting families and encouraging the birth rate.

We know, in fact, that this government has always claimed to intend to tackle the country’s dramatic falling birth rate; but in reality, nothing concrete has been done. Expanding juvenile detention centres, however, is the Meloni government’s first proposal to boost the birth rate. The prospect of being able to send one’s children to prison relieves parents of many responsibilities and costs; it would also mean that many women would not have to choose between family and career. It is well documented that one of the reasons for Italy’s declining birth rate is the lack of essential services, such as nurseries; the expansion of juvenile detention centres would, in theory, preempt this problem: when parents leave for work, they could simply call the Carabinieri and report their children to the authorities. Incarceration is also far less expensive than hiring a babysitter and can compensate for the absence, distance, or unavailability of grandparents. The possibility of being able to place one’s offspring in prison could make a significant difference for those uncertain about starting a family; it might even discourage recourse to abortion: a pregnant woman could decide to give birth with a clear conscience, knowing that if she later finds she cannot cope or changes her mind, she can report the child and have them imprisoned. It is worth recalling that a child cannot object, precisely because they are a child, and their word against that of an adult is like ‘paper’ against ‘scissors’ in rock-paper-scissors.

Minors in Italy are treated as if they were mentally deficient: they cannot receive sex education at school, nor are they allowed to possess mobile phones; they are so repressed that, were I a minor, I would voluntarily turn myself in to go to prison. Some commentators have even suggested that, were the measure to proceed, it might paradoxically encourage those who are childless by choice to reconsider, merely to experience the prospect of placing a child behind bars. In one fell swoop, Minister Nordio’s proposal would please both those who dream of a family but cannot manage it and those who dream of ‘child-free’ spaces: we would have more children, but safely behind bars. What are we waiting for?