by
Stefania Tallei

In Europe

In Europe we are present in the prisons of a few nations:
         in Germany
         in Belgium
         in Italy

The European reality is certainly very different from that of Africa or Latin America. Law guards the fundamental rights of the person, but the law is not always the same for all. In Europe the poorest are penalised and at times undergo detention because of their difficult condition itself. Social inequality renders the application of the law and respect for rights more difficult. Because of the lack of external support, numerous underprivileged inmates have not the capacity for defending themselves. or relatives that may represent a reference point. Other problems are the scarcity of economic means and the difficulties connected to a foreign language.

In Germany, in a wing of the W�rzburg prison, about 30 foreigners who have been denied political asylum have been imprisoned. They have been held in prison for a period of about 18 months, even though they have committed no crime. They are visited weekly by the persons of the Community who have become friends and from whom they receive support and legal aid.

In Belgium situations of brief imprisonment for small crimes are frequent among the homeless who attend our soup-kitchen at Antwerp. The friendship created at the table of the Community continues in the visits to the prisons.

Also in Italy the disadvantages of the poorest people are evident. Drug addicts and immigrants make up the greater part of the inmates. There is also a high incidence of incarceration for the homeless who frequent our welcome centres.