A discussion on the meanings of "humanism" in the field of criminal law and criminal justice, cannot help of focusing on the condition of the inmates, namely on the respect of human dignity in prisons. The essay deems that the idea of "possibility", as a central feature of literature (according to a well-known aristotelian statement), should also be considered by criminal justice. The idea that people CAN change and thus no "definitive" penalty should be inflicted is inherent to the idea of himan dignity. It should foster conditions which can actually lead to the rehabilitation of convicted persons through a prison environment respectful of such dignity.
Forti, G., I “fragili segni dell’umanità”. Sul rapporto tra Giustizia e Letteratura, in Russo, M. (ed.), Umanesimo. Storia, critica e attualità di un’idea., Le Lettere, Firenze 2015: 281- 303 [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/69290]
I “fragili segni dell’umanità”. Sul rapporto tra Giustizia e Letteratura
Forti, Gabrio
2015
Abstract
A discussion on the meanings of "humanism" in the field of criminal law and criminal justice, cannot help of focusing on the condition of the inmates, namely on the respect of human dignity in prisons. The essay deems that the idea of "possibility", as a central feature of literature (according to a well-known aristotelian statement), should also be considered by criminal justice. The idea that people CAN change and thus no "definitive" penalty should be inflicted is inherent to the idea of himan dignity. It should foster conditions which can actually lead to the rehabilitation of convicted persons through a prison environment respectful of such dignity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.