Women with Mental Health Problems in Prisons

Country

Italy

Project Description

The project works with women with mental health problems who get time off from the Florence prison three times a week. A place has been organised where it is possible to carry out some social activities.

Project Aims

The project aims at the social inclusion of women who are going to live back in their social environment.

Areas

Education, Health, Social services

Effectiveness

The project's activities, methodologies and approaches are useful with regard to the needs of women with mental health problems, in access to health and social services, education, leisure activities as well as in the protection of their civil and human rights.

The project's costs (human and financial resources) correspond to the benefits (increased social inclusion) resulting from it.

Sustainability

The project's impacts are in line with the needs of women with mental health problems.

There are enough necessary capabilities or inputs of the organisation implementing the practice (financial and human resources, cooperation with all stakeholders, long-term strategic planning) that ensure that it is suitable for the purpose.

Innovation

There are many innovative aspects of the practice and its methodology of delivery to women with mental health problems.

It is effective in terms of quantitative results (small number of people - they need special permission from the judge - with better access to health and social services, education, training services, transportation, leisure activities etc.) and qualitative results (e.g. increased social inclusion through better coordination of services).

Added Value

The project's activities, methodologies and impacts make a significant contribution with regard to the needs of women with mental health problems as well as with regard to already existing practices and policies in the area of social exclusion.

Transferability

The project and its related materials are potentially transferable to other countries and communities, yet flexible and adaptable to local conditions facilitating the feeling of ownership. It is necessary, however, to compare the legal systems in the different countries.

Mainstreaming Potential

The project is relevant to national and local policy.

It has an added value compared to policies deficits.

There is a coherent strategy of the practice's incorporation into respective policies.

Costs of the Project

20.000 per year

People involved in the Project

5-7 women from the prison, 2 volunteers, 2 professionals

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Project

Strengths of the project: fight against stigma.

Weaknesses of the project: complexity at a legal level.

Contact Person for the Project

Donatella Miccinesi, Carla Cappelli, Franco Scarpa
donatella.miccinesi@virgilio.it