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Commentary on Judgment No. 35682 of 2023: Reform of Alternative Measures to Detention

Judgment No. 35682 of May 23, 2023, delivered by the Court of Cassation, brings significant changes to the interpretation of alternative measures to detention for offenders convicted of first-category obstructive offenses. In a continuously evolving legal context, this decision fits within the framework of recent legislative reforms, particularly those introduced by Decree-Law No. 162 of 2022.

The Regulatory Context and Introduced Changes

Article 4-bis of the penitentiary system has undergone substantial modifications, which directly impact the evaluation of alternative measures. Prior to these reforms, cooperation with the judicial authority was a fundamental requirement for accessing such measures. However, the judgment in question establishes that, following the legislative changes, cooperation is no longer a decisive factor.

In particular, the Court specifies that the presumption of maintaining connections with the criminal organization is now considered relative. This means that the judge is tasked with examining the rehabilitative path of the convicted person, assessing any absence of connections with organized crime, both current and potential.

The Implications of the Decision

01 President: ROCCHI GIACOMO. Rapporteur: ALIFFI FRANCESCO. Reporting Judge: ALIFFI FRANCESCO. Defendant: CATARISANO GIUSEPPE. P.M. PASSAFIUME SABRINA. (Diff.) Annuls with referral, TRIB. SUPERVISION GENOA, 07/09/2022 563000 PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT INSTITUTES (PENITENTIARY SYSTEM) - Alternative measures to detention - Convicted for so-called first-category obstructive offenses - Amendments to Article 4-bis of the penitentiary system with Decree-Law No. 162 of 2022 - Lack of cooperation from the convicted person - Irrelevance - Relative presumption of ties with the criminal association - Investigative powers of the judge under Article 4-bis, paragraph 2, of the penitentiary system - Evaluation of the rehabilitative path and absence of connections with crime - Necessity.

This transformation has a significant impact on the penal system and the possibilities for accessing alternative measures. Judges, now endowed with expanded investigative powers, must assess more deeply and comprehensively the social reintegration path of the convicted person. The implications are manifold:

  • Greater attention to the individual context of the convicted person.
  • Possibility of a fairer assessment of the actual reintegration capabilities.
  • Recognition of the importance of rehabilitation over mere cooperation with the authorities.

Conclusions

Judgment No. 35682 of 2023 represents an important turning point in the treatment of offenders for obstructive offenses. The modification of the presumption of connection with organized crime and the emphasis on evaluating the rehabilitative path offer a new perspective for the individuals involved. The Court of Cassation, therefore, not only highlighted the importance of rehabilitation but also reaffirmed the central role of the judge in evaluating alternative measures, promoting a more humane and contextualized approach.