The issue of sexuality in Italian penitentiary law: a 1930s debate between international influences and fascist prison policies

Summary This article delves into a crucial yet understudied aspect of Italian penitentiary history during the 1930s: the intricate interplay between international influences and the development of fascist prison policies with regard to issues of sexuality. Drawing from a rich archive of legislative documents, contemporary publications, and historical accounts, this study examines the emergence of a multifaceted discourse surrounding sexuality within the context of Italian prisons. Within this framework, the article illuminates the tensions between Mussolini’s authoritarian policies and the pioneering penitentiary practices that were undergoing experimentation in foreign legal systems1.