Building skills, building futures: The impact of IT training in prisons in an interview with Lorenzo Lento.
When prison walls hold the potential not just for confinement, but for transformation.
At Google Cloud’s Partner Connect event, we had the privilege of exploring Universo cooperativa sociale - a non-profit that is breaking down barriers and building bridges to a brighter future for incarcerated individuals. Through intensive cybersecurity training, hands-on experience, and support for re-entry into the workforce, this innovative program is proving that technology can be a powerful tool for rehabilitation and second chances.
Today surfing with Universo cooperativa sociale’s founder, Lorenzo Lento.
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Bollate prison was a starting point for teaching networking and cybersecurity. How did the idea of bringing an Academy to prison come about, and what were the first difficulties you faced?
The idea of bringing training into the Bollate Correctional Facility dates back to 1998-99, when I started the instructor course of a leading technology company in network and telecommunications infrastructure. Until then, I had heard about e-learning but had never come across materials as comprehensive. The curriculum was exceptionally rich and well-structured, and it struck me as something that could be truly transformative, especially for those who had never had the chance to access such high-quality training.
That’s when the idea was born: to give back what I had received by offering it to people living in exclusion. By chance, I mentioned this idea to some individuals working in the prison system, and that led to the first meeting at San Vittore Prison. Since then, the project has grown and continues to this day.
The challenges we faced at the beginning, and still encounter now, are immense. In a prison environment, technology is virtually nonexistent. Bringing in Internet access, computers, and other technological tools was a monumental task. I vividly remember the reaction of the prison inspectors when I proposed using the Internet for training: they were incredulous. I explained that the connection would be filtered and restricted to educational sites only.
Another significant hurdle was managing educational tools such as scissors, screwdrivers, and other items that are typically prohibited in prisons. Every use required strict control and inventory. Today, at Bollate, students even have the keys to the cabinet with the equipment—a testament to the trust we’ve built over time, day by day.
The selection of students poses another critical challenge. Many inmates have very low levels of education, often limited to elementary or middle school, and some still need basic literacy training. Even those with higher education levels struggle with the effects of long-term isolation, which often hinders their communication skills and self-confidence.
Then there’s the issue of “emotional resilience.” The psychological fragility of many inmates makes it difficult for them to remain consistent and motivated in the courses. A minor issue can deeply destabilize them, affecting their participation. This requires not only technical training but also a strong human component: listening, understanding, and supporting each student individually.
Logistical challenges also abound. Without the support of donors and companies that provide us with used computers and other equipment, this initiative would be impossible to sustain. Even chairs and tables, in some cases, were obtained with great effort.
Despite all this, perseverance and dedication have been key to overcoming these obstacles and transforming education into a tool for redemption for many inmates.
What role does technology play in helping reintegration into society, and how do your programs prepare participants for life after prison?
Currently, we have hired seven people: six detainees and one former detainee, who was hired while still incarcerated. Our non-profit focuses on training inside the prison, a process that lasts at least 2-3 years. This period is crucial not only for developing technical skills but also for addressing behavioral aspects, which are equally important for reintegration into society.
Technology, by its very nature, requires an open mind and the ability to reinvent oneself. This is why, throughout the training, we emphasize the importance of continuous learning. They must be ready to study and update their skills regularly.
In addition to technical skills, we place great importance on interpersonal relationships. Within the training environment, it is essential that the dialogue among participants is equal, fostering a collaborative and respectful approach, which will be key in the workplace after their release.
The training we offer aims to create professionals who are in demand, both in Italy and abroad. The certifications they receive are key: they not only demonstrate their competencies but also fill in the "gap" in their resumes, which often raises questions. Companies, always looking for qualified candidates, see the certifications as a clear signal of the value these individuals can bring.
Thanks to this program, many former detainees find employment, both in Italy and in their home countries. Information technology, with its universal and in-demand skills, provides them with a real opportunity for redemption and prepares them to be recognized as professionals capable of making a difference, regardless of where they work.
What technological tools and platforms do you use to make learning in prison as effective as possible, even considering the limitations of the context?
We now have another tool essential for our training: platforms - which allow us to connect with detainees who are unable to leave the prison. Some of these detainees, who have become instructors, are now teaching others in different correctional facilities, such as in Monza, Verona, and Rebibbia.
The online platforms also enable us to conduct training, outside of Italy - in Rwanda for example. In this case, the detainees are training instructors that can, in turn, teach to young people in Rwanda, helping them secure jobs locally. This initiative holds immense potential for transformative change and growth in the coming years. As the continent continues to develop, it will create new job opportunities, which we can support through our work.
These web-based training activities are accessible to anyone, making it possible to extend our reach far beyond prison walls.
You have brought your Networking Academies to various institutions, including the Beccaria Juvenile Detention Center. What are your next goals for further expanding this model, and what new technologies or partnerships are you considering integrating?
Our expansion goals are broad.
We plan to involve in our training programs groups of women from Pakistan, girls in their early twenties who may face limited opportunities for education and employment. We want to offer them training, to help them acquire specialized skills so that they can work remotely for Western companies.
This is one aspect of our future expansion, but we don't set any limits. We are committed to training people who would never have had this opportunity and also helping them become entrepreneurs of their own futures.
As for partnerships, we are open to exploring new collaborations. Initially, there is always skepticism about integrating detainees into the workforce. However, it's important to highlight that when a detainee has completed a long training process, like the one we offer, they have gained solid foundations.
Moreover, the people we work with are always ready to continue learning and improving. Those who complete our training programs gain a new sense of dignity, which impacts not only their self-perception but also how they are seen by the community.
This is a huge step forward and a very important achievement for all of us.
After years of experience, what is the most important lesson you have learned from bringing technology into prisons?
The most important lesson I’ve learned over the years is the power of change.
I’ve seen people who no one would have bet on completely transform. The real lesson is that if you believe in someone who no longer believes in themselves, they begin to believe in their own abilities. They start a new life, despite their past, and develop skills that didn’t exist before. These individuals realize they’ve taken a path that has led them to build strong self-esteem.
The key takeaway from my experience is that change is possible, and this change is what truly matters to us.
Lorenzo Lento is an IT professional and long-time volunteer. He has been teaching IT courses to inmates at the Bollate prison in Milan for over a decade through the Cisco Networking Academy. Recognized as Best Instructor at a Cisco conference in 2003, he also supports former inmates in finding employment. In 2012, he founded Universo Cooperativa Sociale to manage IT systems for institutions.