The number of women in prison in Ticino has doubled

There have never been so many women behind bars in Ticino. Currently, there are 27 inmates Ticino «A month ago we approached the record figure of 30 women imprisoned,» explains Stefano Laffranchini, who during his eight years at the helm of Ticino's prisons acknowledges that he has never experienced such a high number, considering the number of people in pre-trial detention, those in prison and those who have been previously convicted. «We normally have a maximum of 15 inmates. Now we're dealing with double figures, which is concerning».

Family drug trafficking

How do you explain the explosion in the number of incarcerations?

«It is a series of inquiries related to drug trafficking. These investigations involve entire families,» Laffranchini responds. «For example, if before drug trafficking was run predominantly by men, we now observe more and more involvement by partners too.» Not only that. «We have to remember that 40% of the prison population in Ticino is behind bars for offences against the Federal Narcotics Act. And if we factor in consequential crimes (such as people addicted to drugs who commit theft to pay for their substances) we reach 50%. All of this is also reflected in the number of inmates.

The next steps

The rise of incarcerated women is also seen at the national level. As of Jan. 31, there were 380 female prisoners in Switzerland, or 6%. »The highest rate since 2009,« the Federal Statistical Office stressed. In Ticino, however, we come close to 12-13%. »15 of the 27 imprisoned women could benefit from a somewhat lighter regime, as they are in jail or waiting on early release. The opening of a women's section, therefore, is more relevant than ever,« highlights Director Laffranchini.

 »We are aware of the issue,« underlines Frida Andreotti the director of the Division of Justice . »In the coming weeks, the Department of Institutions will publicly present the project of the new female division to the Press. Then it will be crucial to be able to find the necessary staff to be ready to open the new wing as soon as possible, since the training for correctional officers takes about eight months.«

There has not been a women's prison in our Canton since 2007. The section at La Stampa that accommodated female inmates was closed: the number of women in prison was low and it was too expensive to manage them. Women in pre-trial detention and those on short sentences are housed at Farea, a structure created to be a correctional facility, in which there are strict rules. The men are moved to the Stampa - where the prison regime is lighter for the expiration of their sentence.

In the absence of a dedicated wing women are forced to stay at the Farera, where they remain locked in their cells most of the time. If their sentence is longer than one year, they are transferred out of the canton to the prison of Hindelbank (BE) or to La Tuilière in Lonay (VD).

They will be able to work

To attempt to solve this problem, a newly built women's section is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023. The project involves a total of 12 cells (eleven normal cells and one for mothers with children). Meanwhile, an important new feature is coming. »From next week, even inmates in the ordinary system will be able to work. In addition to training, they'll be able to do laundry work, and there will also be a collaboration with Swissminiatur, with miniature painting works«, explains Lafranchini. »An operation that entails an  indifferent organizational effort, but necessary to alleviate the condition of the inmates. In this manner, they will be able to stay out of their cells for another four hours a day«. A first step forward, then, while waiting for a definitive solution, which should arrive in a year and a half.