A Degree Behind Bars: When Studying Reroutes Destiny

Among the achievements of Bocconi’s Progetto Carceri in its 10 years of activity, the most significant has been the success of the students who have been able to reach a graduation milestone. As of today, they are six — young men with diverse backgrounds, with different pasts and perspectives, brought together by having experienced a sort of rebirth by studying in prison in order to reroute destiny.

“When I get out, I have to be worth something”

“I was in my fourth year at the Technical and Commercial Institute when I was arrested, but I was a pretty lazy student who had already been left back,” says Mattia Teofilo, a CLEAM graduate who has since been released and has entered the workforce. “I completed high school in prison, but university remained lightyears away until they told me that a Bocconi program was about to begin. I took the test to prove myself, and unexpectedly was admitted to the first cycle of Progetto Carceri. At the beginning, also in this case, I was a pretty distracted student. It is not easy to find your motivation when you know you are going to spend many years behind bars. Also, deep down, I kept thinking that I was not good enough for a Bocconi degree program. After passing the first exams, I even suspected that the study path had been made easier for us inmates. Then I had to retake Economic History five times and realized that was not the case.” A reduced sentence in the second grade of trial and the possibility of being released at an age that is still useful for rejoining the job market really accelerated Mattia’s journey. “‘When I get out, I have to be worth something’, I told myself. I have to play my cards right for reentry.”

From graduation to the workforce

So he graduated, and shortly afterward, received an offer to pursue a Master in Marketing and Communication at Bocconi, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the semi-open prison regimen. “It may sound strange to some, but studying in that context was actually more difficult because, after years of incarceration, I no longer was used to having to concentrate or interact with classmates.” Today, after an internship at Nestlé, Mattia is currently working as a sales assistant for Nespresso. “I enjoy the job because it forces me to be in contact with people. I have been released just a few months ago, though, and I know that I need to seize this opportunity if I want to change my life. Every possibility is running through my head and I do not know where fate will take me. In any case, graduating from Bocconi remains my biggest accomplishment; who would have thought?”

Denis, who rediscovered the pleasure of learning

“I was always good at school, especially in science classes, so much so that — for a moment — I even thought about going to scientific high school,” echoes Denis Donvito, who graduated a year ago with a thesis on how fashion houses’ appointments of creative directors affect their stock-market performance. “Then unfortunately my life took a different turn, and I dropped out after being left back twice. Enrolling in a prison program initially seemed like a good alternative to spending the entire day playing cards in my cell. While studying, however, I rediscovered my desire and enjoyment of learning, and university became an unexpected opportunity.” In order to attend CLEAM lectures, Denis turned

down a transfer that would have brought him closer to his family, as well as the opportunity to take on a job that is offered to inmates to support themselves. “I saw so many young people have to give up their studies because they were forced to work,” says Denis. “I was lucky because my family has always supported me, even financially. Working in prison is useful, but offers no real prospects; when you get out, you find yourself without money, without that exact job, and without the necessary training to find another one.” For Denis, too, the toughest test came with his first steps outside the prison walls, at the rehab center where he was placed and where he had to share the rhythms of community life with other young people. “Studying was really difficult between the increased physical demands, hours lost to commuting, and emotional challenges of adjusting to a new environment. It took me a year and a half to complete my last nine exams, but when graduation day finally arrived, I was able to defend my thesis at the university. And I will never forget that day.” Bocconi staff also assisted Denis in his subsequent search for an internship, which he completed at the human resources department of Redion (formerly Europ Assistance) and which led to a fixed-term contract. “I am still thinking of possibly enrolling in a MSc program,” concludes Denis, “but I will not do it immediately. Right now, I think reentering society is more of a priority, and having a job is an essential tool to do so.”

Altin, a marathon of exams towards freedom

The likelihood of being able to find work and make the most out of his hard-earned degree after being released was also what drove the journey of Altin Sheshi. “The Bocconi program intrigued me from the beginning, but I did have some reservations about whether I would be able to quickly put my degree to good use once I was out. It took Professor Vicari’s help to reassure me that none of his students had ever been unemployed and that I could rely on that statistic. So, I set about studying seriously and was off to a good start, but then the pandemic hit.” Among the many difficulties behind bars during the Covid lockdown, one of them was the inevitable slowing down of lectures and exams. “It was the most difficult period,” underscores Altin. “The days passed and my freedom was so close, but I desperately wanted to graduate before getting out because I knew that afterward it would have been even harder. Then once the program was back in full swing, I went through a marathon of exams that surprised even me, and — thanks to a fortunate turn of events — I was able to defend my thesis in person at Bocconi after all.”

Setting a good example even after prison

After a brief stint in financial consulting, Altin started his own construction company. He also enrolled in an MSc in Statistics for Economics, although his studies are on hold for now. “My nephew, however, has enrolled at Bocconi this year,” says Altin, “and I would like to think that my example played a part in that decision.”