Ragusa, in the shadow of the cell, fathers and sons to cultivate a relationship

In prisons, where time is marked by slow and rigorous rhythms, every opportunity for authentic encounter takes on extraordinary value. In this spirit, on Wednesday, March 25, from 10 AM to 12 PM, at the Ragusa Correctional Facility, there will be “Sotto Sopra Show – Grand Father's Day Celebration”, an event promoted by the Labirinti project to allow incarcerated fathers to meet their children in a context different from the traditional visit, filled with smiles, play, and sharing.

The morning will be enlivened by street artist Giuseppe Buggea, who will engage both young and old with juggling performances, ball games, unicycling, and balance beam acts.

Following this, fathers and children will be able to participate together in playful activities, experiencing a moment of genuine closeness and lightness.

Led by the leading organization APS Officina SocialMeccanica and selected by Con i Bambini as part of the Fund for the fight against child educational poverty, the Labirinti project aims to implement socio-educational interventions to support the minor children of incarcerated individuals in various areas of Sicily. In addition to Ragusa, the initiative is also active in Catania, Palermo, and Sciacca.

The activities carried out in Ragusa have been made possible thanks to the synergy between Clown Dottori di Ci Ridiamo Sù APS, Crisci Ranni APS, and Facciamo Scuola ASD.

«With Labirinti, we want to create concrete opportunities for encounters that restore dignity and humanity to family relationships, even in complex contexts like the prison environment

– explain the spokespersons of the involved associations –. This event represents an important step: allowing fathers and children to share moments of joy and normalcy means strengthening fundamental bonds for the well-being of both and for the future of the community».

The event will be attended by the Municipality of Ragusa, a partner in the project, with the councilors for Social Services and Public Education, demonstrating the administration's attention to initiatives that promote inclusion and family cohesion.

«Events like this have great human value because they strengthen the bond between incarcerated fathers and their children – declares the councilor for Social Services Elvira Adamo». The Labirinti project demonstrates the importance of providing minors with educational and emotional opportunities. As an administration, we support initiatives that promote inclusion, rights, and new future perspectives for children and families.

The Councillor for Public Education and Economic Development, Catia Pasta, echoes this: "This day will be a special moment to celebrate family love and offer children an opportunity for closeness. I hope this day can bring a little joy and hope to all the dads who are far from their families. I thank the organizers for allowing me to be part of these moments, which are very important to me."

Supporting the initiatives of Labirinti is also the head of the treatment area Maria Stella: "The event aims to be a moment of leisure but also of reflection: the artist Giuseppe Buggea will perform with skills and creativity, offering a truly engaging show, but there will also be moments aimed at highlighting the importance of family relationships even in difficult contexts, such as the detention environment."

Also participating will be the director of the UEPE (Local Office of External Penal Execution) Rosaria Ruggieri and the representative of the USSM (Office of Social Services for Minors) Mariuccia Licitra.

A thank you, for the usual availability, goes to the director of the institute, Santo Mortillaro, and to the commander of the penitentiary police, Claudio Iacobelli.