In the United States, if you go to prison and you are medically able, you must work. The jobs range from things like food service to laundry, and you are paid a meager sum of 12¢ to 40¢. Some in the States argue that inmates don’t deserve to be paid at all due to the infractions against the laws of the land, while others argue that would just be slave labor. No matter what side of the argument you might land on, it seems everyone has much to learn from the way Italy runs one of its prisons. Due Palazzi Detention Centre in Italy is home to Giotto bakery and it is known across Northern Italy for its Panettone.
In the academic paper, Working and Forgiveness Behind Bars: Giotto in the Due Palazzi Prison of Padua the entire program undergoes an extensive review. (You can read all 45 pages here, if you want.) Back in 1986, The Giotto Cooperative was started by a group of college pals! They just wanted to make sure that at-risk groups of peoples, alcoholics, prisoners and those with physical or mental conditions, had safe places and work. At first, the Coop focused on environmental tasks, like gardening and the like. This is how they made their first headway into Due Palazzi in 1990 — around 140 inmates participated in the program and the rest, as they say, is history.
In 2005, a warehouse on the property was turned into a bakery and they began making Panettone. This sweet bread is usually made with rum-soaked fruits, citrus and almonds and is usually served at Christmas. The chance to work in the bakery does not come to all inmates, and there are strict tests they have to pass to make this specialty. But if they pass the tests, they work up to four hours a day and some are able to earn up to 500€ home. Earning money makes the inmates feel more connected to their families, and makes them better workers.
There are so many amazing delicate and decadent items to explore, too many for us to feature here. With the level of artistry and the amazing story of redemption behind these delicacies, I personally can’t wait to order some items from the website. But we want to know what you think, would you order from this bakery? Let us know in the comments! And as always, from all of us at Trill!: wear your mask, go get vaccinated, and remember it is okay to be bored.
