Card. Martini greets inmates at the prison S. Vittore, Milan

When I was invited by a friend who is a volunteer to write something for Città Nuova about my experience or in general about prison, I had already read some recent articles in the magazine. In one of these I read the response that Aurora Nicosia received via email from her friend, who has an official role in the department of justice, whom she had invited to write on the subject. In short, she had replied: “I don't feel like it, because this is a very difficult time, and we see very little light for the future.” I found myself in tune with these words because, with the exception of some penitentiary institutions that really work but can be counted on one hand, the overall picture is dramatic. If then we go into detail, it gets even worse: I am referring to Poggioreale, where I carry out my service as a chaplain.

On the other hand, without having to recall Voltaire’s words “The degree of civilization of a country is measured by observing the condition of its prisons,” it is clear that the main problem above all is cultural! As a society, we are not able to advance spiritually (not synonymous with ecclesial!) in the conception of justice that is not retributive, punitive at least in Italy, because some countries of Northern Europe have a system that educates and resocialises.

Yes, it is a purely cultural issue but it could similarly be said to be spiritual. That is: we are not yet able to adopt those spiritual attitudes required to deal with those achievements as being proper to being human brought out through history, science, the human sciences, law. Article 27 of our Constitutional Charter is a good example where it states that punishments, however necessary, “cannot consist of treatments contrary to the sense of humanity and must tend towards re-education.” But it has remained on paper, as unfortunately – despite all the efforts  a large part of human rights.

But I realize that I am slipping into analyses that, however important, are not really my competence and would take me far, risking not explain why I decided to accept the proposal to write something. Because prison exists! Because inside there are sisters and brothers who are wounded like we all are! Because I too could have ended up there!

So, two images, among the many that circulate about prison, accompany me on my journey with them.

An image that speaks for itself. How many battles are fought not who knows where but inside our cities, our streets, our environments, even ecclesial ones! Yes: “inside” sisters and brothers also come from our parishes, those that we continue to call “communities”! For this reason, I feel that “they” belong to me and not only because faith in God and the Gospel of Jesus call me to feel them as my brothers, but also because directly or indirectly, willingly or not, for my part I too have contributed to this ruthless society in creating countless illusions that inevitably cause waste, wounded in the body and above all in the soul! Injured, bearing open wounds are the many brothers I meet in that great field hospital that is Poggioreale.

What do you do in a field hospital? Here I like to recall another image that guides me. I borrow it from Henri Nouwen, who many years ago wrote a beautiful book entitled: “The Wounded Healer”. You don’t have all the means that would be needed in a civilian hospital, let alone in a field hospital like a prison today!

I often repeat this to myself, especially when feeling discouraged I seek support in prayer with the Master. I am convinced that they could feel Jesus from miles away! Because he was a Presence in deep contact with Life (God) and with himself; he inspired trust, he awakened dormant energies and for this reason often, when accepted, he also healed. It is no coincidence that he never attributed the healing to himself, but said “Your faith has saved you” (Mk 10:52).

The prison, a field hospital, asks me every day: “What kind of presence am I?”. Am I there for them or with them? Because, like each of us, they also feel - indeed - whether I am there with them aware of my fragility but centred, or arrogant in my presumed faith and superficial, whether I am there as a craftsman, or thirsty for humanity.

And it happens, yes, in the many conversations, that we arrive at establishing a fraternal relationship of profound sharing of life, and that glimpses of the Spirit open up to perceive how much within each of us there are desires to listen to the most beautiful part that has often remained unheard for a long, too long time. I feel that if I have this (as they say today) “posture” we often arrive at touching neuralgic points of the heart. Not only to resist “in there” but, paradoxically, to grow humanly, existentially and, why not, also in faith.

Because, once we have reached a certain harmony and empathy, we willingly look into each other's eyes, sometimes shiny, and ask ourselves: "What is essential, now that I am in here?". And we come to intuit the crossroads that life always puts before us: "temptation or opportunity". Temptation is the easiest to follow: to throw everything away, to waste energy and time passively and angry, which only increases the rate of internal and external violence. Or, an opportunity to grow internally and become more human starting from the acceptance of the wound, of fragility because "it is not the facts that count but what we become through the facts" (E. Hillesum). Even in a field hospital like prison and as wounded healers, we can help Life to flourish because "even if they are not lilies, they are still children, victims of this world" (F. De André).

Father Pierangelo Marchi, sss
Community of Caserta
Notiziario Province Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
17 April 2025 - N.16