The first Restorative Justice Center in Liguria, located at via Mascherona 21 in Genoa, has launched a series of professional seminars to implement the Cartabia Reform’s new framework for conflict resolution and crime management. The center serves as a reference hub for the entire District of the Court of Appeal of Genoa, focusing on mediation and damage repair between victims, offenders, and the community.
Implementing the Cartabia Reform through the “Modera” Project
The center’s operational strategy centers on the “Modera” project, coordinated by lawyer Raffaele Caruso. This initiative aims to shift the legal approach from a purely punitive model to one that emphasizes accountability and social reconstruction.
A primary component of this rollout is a cycle of seminars starting July 23. Gialuz and the center's mediators are analyzing the practical opportunities created by the Cartabia Reform, which introduced restorative justice as a formal tool within the Italian legal system to complement traditional judicial proceedings.
Objectives of the Ligurian Restorative Justice Center
Established in June, the center operates with three primary goals: fostering mediation, ensuring offender responsibility, and facilitating the repair of harm caused by criminal acts. The structure is designed to be an open space for the city, accessible to justice operators, legal professionals, local government entities, and private citizens.
Cristina Lodi, the city assessor, stated that the center represents a “cultural revolution” for Genoa. Lodi noted that the goal is to move beyond a vision of crime that is solely punitive, instead focusing on a perspective capable of “healing wounds and rebuilding the social fabric.”
Restorative Justice Framework and Application
Restorative justice differs from traditional retributive justice by focusing on the needs of the victim and the community rather than just the violation of a law. Under the Cartabia Reform, these processes can be accessed at any stage of criminal proceedings, provided there is voluntary consent from all parties involved.
| Feature | Traditional Justice | Restorative Justice (Cartabia Reform) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Punishment and law violation | Repair of harm and victim needs |
| Process | Adversarial court proceedings | Mediated dialogue and agreement |
| Goal | Determining guilt and sentencing | Social cohesion and accountability |
The seminars at via Mascherona 21 will continue over the coming months to provide permanent opportunities for professional exchange, ensuring the center remains a laboratory for social innovation and conflict resolution within the Genoa district.
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