May 19, 2025, 9:03 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The island of Gorgona, part of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to Europe’s last prison colony. Instead of focusing on punishment, the approach here emphasizes rehabilitation, even paying inmates for their work. During the day, they are free to move around and work as bakers, beekeepers, or vintners. As a result, the waiting list for the island prison is long, and the recidivism rate among inmates is unusually low. Gorgona has even gained fame for a particularly exclusive product.
About an hour by boat from the Tuscan port city of Livorno lies a rugged, sea-battered rock where only about a hundred people live. Not voluntarily, it must be said. The people living on Gorgona are inmates of Europe’s last penal colony. It has existed for nearly 160 years and boasts an astonishing success rate in rehabilitating criminals. The island prison has a long waiting list because inmates on Gorgona are allowed to move freely and work, which is even paid.
According to the Boston Globe, the penal colony on Gorgona has been around since 1869. The roughly 200-hectare island could be considered a European Alcatraz, as escaping from there is deemed impossible. Most island residents likely don’t even consider it, as compared to a regular prison, they lead a very good life here. During the day, they can move freely on the island, working as vintners, bakers, beekeepers, or shepherds. Working with animals gives inmates a sense of responsibility and purpose, contributing to successful reintegration into society in many cases.
Low Recidivism Rate
A typical day on Gorgona begins for inmates at six in the morning. They work until 11 a.m., earning a wage, part of which is saved for their post-incarceration time. Afterward, they are free to do as they please for the rest of the day. The prison offers amenities such as a gym, music, and theater classes. And, of course, soccer is a popular pastime here. At 9 p.m., it’s lights out, and inmates are locked up for the night. Usually, two people share a cell, but with particularly good behavior, one can enjoy a single cell.
Once a week, people on Gorgona can receive visits from their families. However, since weather conditions don’t always allow safe travel, there is even a guesthouse for relatives. All of this contributes to the remarkably low recidivism rate for inmates on the island. Only 20 percent of those rehabilitated commit another crime after their unique incarceration. In “ordinary” prisons in Italy, this rate is 80 percent. Yet, even in this supposed “paradise,” there are occasional dark moments.
Violence and a Double Murder
A few years ago, a double murder occurred among the inmates on Gorgona. There are also occasional outbreaks of violence among the prisoners. However, these incidents are low compared to the national average, as the island’s rules are unforgiving in such cases. Any misstep, regardless of its nature, and the person is immediately transferred back to the mainland to a “normal” prison. Moreover, one must earn the right to stay here in advance. All those incarcerated in Europe’s last penal colony have previously distinguished themselves through particularly good behavior in other prisons.
Gorgona is now even known among connoisseurs worldwide for a particularly exclusive product. According to the Guardian, this refers to a white wine produced by inmates under the guidance of professional vintners. The Italian wine dynasty Frescobaldi, the oldest in the country, oversees the production. The result is one of the most expensive wines to come from Tuscany. This special collaboration has existed since 2011, with the noble grapes grown in a five-hectare area. Many inmates pursue the work they learned on the island after their release.
Alcatraz: The History of the Infamous Prison Island Near San Francisco
Ko Tarutao is Thailand’s Little-Known Island Paradise
These 11 museums are terrifying!
Visiting Gorgona as a Tourist
There are also electricians, carpenters, mechanics, and masons on Gorgona. Many inmates are even able to support their families with the money earned on the island. However, some prisoners cannot bear the solitude here and voluntarily request to be transferred back. The lack of proximity to loved ones plays a significant role in this. The boat from Livorno to Gorgona runs only once a day, and only if the weather permits. Despite being just an hour’s journey from the mainland, the island feels isolated.
As incredible as it sounds, Gorgona can also be visited by tourists. The official tourism website of the city of Livorno actually offers day trips to the island. These must be registered with the prison administration. The agency promises “the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a place that has inspired countless stories and legends.” The excursion includes a lunch package and a swimming stop in the sea near the small harbor. Visiting Europe’s last penal colony is certainly anything but ordinary.