Italian rugby's governing body, Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), has introduced rugby in 15 prisons across the country.
Italian rugby's governing body, Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR), has introduced rugby in 15 prisons across the country.
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It's part of a wider social project to help reform certain reaches of society. The first game was played in 2010 and has been a huge success.
It's part of a wider social project to help reform certain reaches of society. The first game was played in 2010 and has been a huge success.
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The project began with La Drola Rugby (in red) in Turin, with help from former Italy international player Walter Rista.
The project began with La Drola Rugby (in red) in Turin, with help from former Italy international player Walter Rista.
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"There were hundreds of spontaneous inmates requests to be included in the team -- from Turin as well as from other penitentiaries around Italy," says Rista after the project was launched.
"There were hundreds of spontaneous inmates requests to be included in the team -- from Turin as well as from other penitentiaries around Italy," says Rista after the project was launched.
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The values of respect, cohesion, and responsibility -- all epitomized by rugby -- are helping reform the inmates.
The values of respect, cohesion, and responsibility -- all epitomized by rugby -- are helping reform the inmates.
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There are hopes in the future to grow the resources funding the program. This could improve players' access to medical treatment, better nutrition and training equipment.
There are hopes in the future to grow the resources funding the program. This could improve players' access to medical treatment, better nutrition and training equipment.
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In one Turin jail, the tendency to reoffend in rugby-playing inmates is about 25% compared with normal figures of about 70%.
In one Turin jail, the tendency to reoffend in rugby-playing inmates is about 25% compared with normal figures of about 70%.
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