A year after the implementation of the Caivano Decree, Italy sees a record number of minors in juvenile detention centers.

The decree, introduced following the emotional response to assaults in Parco Verde, aimed to combat youth gangs and school dropout rates.

However, a report by Antigone reveals a 48% increase in detained minors, reaching 569 by September 2024, the highest ever recorded.

Despite a decrease in reported youth crimes, the decree's stricter penalties have led to more incarcerations, particularly affecting foreign minors.

Overcrowding in facilities is severe, with 12 out of 17 centers exceeding capacity, leading to poor living conditions.

Critics argue the decree exacerbates social marginalization without addressing the root causes of youth crime.