Carrying out public utility works in places of culture such as the Royal Palace of Caserta, the Pinacoteca di Bologna or the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua or in dozens of libraries and archives: this is the meaning of the agreement signed by the Minister of Culture, Dario Franceschini, and by the Minister of Justice, Marta Cartabia, in the department in via del Collegio Romano.
Thanks to the agreement - the first of its kind signed between two ministries - 52 cultural sites will open their doors to 102 people, accused of crimes for which a maximum sentence of four years is envisaged, engaged in public utility works for the purposes of putting proof: in the event of a positive outcome, the offense is extinguished.
"It is a convention of great pragmatic, but also symbolic value", smiles Cartabia. "We are talking about crimes such as theft, damage to cultural assets, wrongful death, personal injuries, road injuries: the opportunity that is given responds to an idea of criminal justice that is not only detention", but also "reparation of the damage inflicted on the collectivity, a fruitful and meaningful vision at the same time ". It is no coincidence that "in the criminal delegation recently approved by Parliament, this institution is strengthened, extending it to crimes that envisage a penalty of up to six years, excluding some types". Currently there are 23,700 people put to the test and 8,600 those who carry out public utility works: "Exposing them to art is an act of great civilization", adds Cartabia,hoping that agreements of this kind could soon involve other ministries as well.
"There are many places of memory and beauty made available, in the name of full collaboration with an idea launched by Minister Cartabia", adds Franceschini.
"I am convinced that the application of this institute in cultural sites will give positive results".