MEdianTE Association
Activities

Workshops held in prison, during which inmates work alongside teachers who are professional musicians, to learn both the technical aspects of music and the dynamics of teamwork.
The selection of participants is targeted and based on in-depth assessments of their individual needs, as well as on their active involvement. These criteria are fundamental for the success of the project, which offers inmates an opportunity for personal growth, while promoting a more humane and inclusive prison environment.
Three paths of artistic expression are provided continuously in the two structures:
1) “I Know My Voice” at Pratello: personal empowerment workshops through vocal and choral training for young people in juvenile detention (launched in 2018);
2) “I Know My Voice” at Dozza: a new initiative at the adult prison created for young people newly moved there from the juvenile detention centre after becoming of age;
3) “Out With the Sound!” at Dozza: a newly formed instrumental ensemble within the correctional facility of the Dozza prison, specifically for inmates who already know how to play an instrument, enabling them to continue practising an artistic skill they had already acquired outside of prison.
The Aim
The project is aimed at adult inmates in Bologna’s correctional facility and minors in the Pratello juvenile detention centre, addressing their specific needs and promoting their social reintegration. The ultimate beneficiaries are therefore both the direct participants, who can develop musical and social skills, and the prison community as a whole, which can benefit from a more positive and cohesive environment.
Places & Dates
January to June2025, Carceri Dozza e Pratello
Bologna, Italy