The ceremony to inaugurate the new courses, made possible partly thanks to the support of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, provided an opportunity to sign a new agreement between the Lorusso and Cutugno Prison and the University of Turin for the next three years.
A ceremony was held this morning, in the presence of local institutions, students and staff of the “Lorusso e Cutugno” Prison in Turin to inaugurate the 2023-2024 academic year of the University Prisoner Students Centre.
The centre, which has a total of 59 students, is therefore officially launching the 22 Degree Courses planned for this academic year, including 13 three-year courses, 8 Master’s courses and one Single Cycle course.
The opening event – which was attended, amongst others, by the Rector of the University of Turin Stefano Geuna, the Director of the “Lorusso e Cutugno” Prison Elena Lombardi Vallauri, the Municipal Councillor for Relations with the Prison System Giovanna Pentenero and the People Goal Manager of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo Marzia Sica – also provided the opportunity to sign the new Agreement between the University, the Prison and the UIEPE Interdistrict Office for External Criminal Enforcement for the three-year period 2024-2026.
The Agreement governs relations with the Lorusso e Cutugno Prison of Turin, and with the Rodolfo Morandi Prison in Saluzzo, offering inmates who fulfil the requirements the opportunity to exercise their right to undertake university studies.
Through this Agreement, the University of Turin is able to provide prisoner students with lectures, seminars and a variety of educational opportunities, as well as assistance with preparing for exams, writing dissertations and presenting them in specially organised graduation sessions.
The Centre is able to operate thanks to an annual contribution disbursed by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, defined within the framework of the General Agreement governing relations between the University and the Foundation itself. In particular, the contribution allocated by the Turin-based philanthropic body allows the payment of student fees and the supply of text books, teaching material, stationery, IT equipment and related consumables, as well as ensuring the important presence of three tutors in charge of organising the teaching.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Alberto and Angelica Musy Fund, the University of Turin, Ufficio Pio of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, the City of Turin, SMAT, the “Lorusso and Cutugno” Prison, and the Rodolfo Morandi Prison in Saluzzo, also allows the institutions to work together to promote employment reintegration paths through a number of work grants to students and graduates who can benefit from the partial freedom or article 21 regime.
The support for the University Centre for prisoner students confirms the commitment of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo to supporting initiatives which, by adopting a holistic approach to individuals and their needs, offer multidimensional and systemic interventions which help to promote a change, both in the life paths of prisoners and in the narrative of the prison world, thus contributing to building more inclusive communities.
To learn more about the morning programme and to read the full press release, please see the documents available here.