New ‘La Luna’ Organization Enhances Rehabilitation at Castiglione Psychiatric Hospital

A new organization was recently established within the Castiglione psychiatric hospital for judicial patients: the Onlus ‘La Luna’.

This organization, founded by operators of the OPG (Ospedale Psichiatrico Giudiziario) and led by Dr. Antonino Calogero, aims to develop, in accordance with current legislation, new rehabilitative and therapeutic models for mentally ill offenders, through the creation and management of training, professional requalification, and employment programs.

Activities and Training Courses

Currently, within the facility, this goal has materialized in professional training courses managed by Enaip of Mantova, which have enabled the creation of workshops in carpentry, graphic design, IT, tailoring, green maintenance, while a bookbinding workshop will soon be launched.

Thanks to donations, it has been possible to purchase equipment for woodworking, valued at several million euros.

The residents attending these courses number 19, about 10% of the total hospitalized, selected based on factors such as the duration of their security measure, their clinical condition, and their willingness or ability to participate in the rehabilitation process, which is coordinated by Dr. Rivellini. Four nursing staff are assigned to the program under the supervision of Dr. Calogero.

Intervention Methods and Work Integration

Two interesting aspects of this experience are: regarding future employment opportunities, it is noteworthy that the carpentry workshop works for about 80% on external commissions; on the strictly care-related level, this rehabilitative pathway involves leaving the wards (two for males and two for females) to attend courses, and staying until late afternoon at a sort of day center in the former guesthouse, now incorporated into the OPG. Here, residents live a community-style life, very similar to daily life outside the institution.

The patients participate in meal preparation and maintenance of the facility, funded by ergotherapy subsidies, which has been significantly improved and beautified compared to a few years ago.

Contacts and Membership

The ‘La Luna’ association is open to anyone who, after submitting an application, wishes to become a member or contribute in any way to its institutional goals.

For more information, please contact Dr. Antonino Calogero at (tel. 0376/949800).