Abstract

The paper proposes a reflection on Prisoner reentry process. This topic, with rare exceptions, is not studied in Italy by qualitative research. The public and institutional debate about the penal system and its effects is only focused on penal execution or on alternative measures to prison. The end of sentence and the difficulties of the reentry process remain a secondary question. Data highlight the importance of the phenomenon: more than half of the prison population will be released within three year. The first paragraph is dedicated to the review of Italian studies about prisoner reentry. The focus on the concept of recidivism emerges clearly and it is demonstrated that collecting data about failures doesn’t help to understand the reentry process. Subsequently the concept of desistance is deepened, in particular as an alternative to recidivism. Finally, a broad overview of international literature and the most recent studies is discussed.