Art beyond the walls
Description: The camp is organised with the Director of the prison of Gorgona, where SCI made camps in the 90s. The prison is located on an island 37 km from Livorno. It is an open type workhouse, unique in Italy, inhabited exclusively by about 80 inmates, all men annad adults, Italians and foreigners, engaged in agricultural work and with animals and 30 prison workers. There are no other inhabitants. In the prison are usually organized cultural, educational and voluntary activities, proposed by associations. The SCI camp involves the creation and restoration of mural paintings, with the direct involvement of prisoners and prison staff, and the promotion of the principles of international volunteering (i.e. sharing, solidarity, peace, fight against prejudices, inclusion).
Type of Work: Volunteers will work together with inmates mainly on the remaking of a mural painting created in the 1994 SCI camp, located in the village of the island, outside the detention area and on a new mural with the inscription of Article 27 of the Italian Constitution (defense of unhuman treatment in prison). Animation activities with the inmates. The activities, organized in groups, will take place mainly in the village, outside the restricted area, so they will have to be adapted to the schedules of availability of inmates and staff. The work is not strenuous, but can take place in the hottest hours of the day and on scaffolding. "
Study Theme: "There will be a presentation of the prison system in Italy and the peculiar example of the island-prison of Gorgona and an orientation on life on the island, a mainly male and closed community, which is opening up to the presence of volunteers and tourists. SCI volunteers are invited to bring information about prisons in their countries and possible examples of volunteer activities; they will be involved with the inmates, who come from different countries, in moments of discussion on the themes of volunteering, peace, solidarity, inclusion, prejudices, discrimination.
Accommodation: Accommodation in two equipped apartments, 2-3 bed each room. Sleeping bag and towels are necessary. Running water for cleaning and hot shower are available. Drinkable water will be taken from the public fountain in the village, bring your water bottle. Volunteers are responsible for cleaning and cooking. Breakfast in the apartments, meals in an equipped room/garden in the village. Food is brought mainly from Livorno but also from the prison farm. No bank available. Limited internet access.
Language: English, French, Albanian, Arabic
Requirements: No special skills required. Drawing skills welcome. Flexibility and motivation are needed to live for 10 days in a beautiful but isolated place with no recreational opportunities. The use of alcohol is limited, absolute prohibition of introduction and consumption of any drug (criminal consequences are expected).
Approximate Location: The island of Gorgona is a natural reserve of the Tuscan Archipelago Park and can be reached by ship only two days a week. The prison is adjacent to the old village that is being renovated. The management is also working on the island's energy self-sufficiency. There are no recreational places, but 5 km of rocky coast. You can go swimming. Bring swimsuits and rock shoes.
Notes: Additional Fee Please kindly note that there is an additional incoming fee of 50 Euros for all volunteers applying through Partner organisations or Contacts of the SCI network. Check the status here: https://bit.ly/3vhBD5J. This fee covers hosting costs, insurance, a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects and administration costs and is to be paid on arrival at the project or online directly to the hosting branch. For volunteers coming through SCI Branches and Groups there is no additional incoming fee, since the costs covered by the additional fee are included in the amount paid to the sending branch.
Camp Photographs
