Assessing the Un-Assessable: How to Economically Assess Work Projects in Juvie?

This research addresses the challenge of evaluating the socioeconomic impact of entrepreneurial activities within juvenile detention centers (JDCs), specifically through the lens of Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology. Focusing on a case study at the Bologna JDC, in Italy, the study explores the constitutional mandate of rehabilitation in prisons, emphasizing the role of work with outside people as a key element in this process. Findings underscore the contribution of work within detention to the rehabilitation process. Given the political reluctance to prioritize these programs, the research advocates for structured approaches to underscore its critical importance.