<strong>'Prison island': </strong>Over a decade dafter checking into the beachfront Hotel Milena, which is staffed by convicts on probation, Giulia Manca has remained on the Italian island of Pianosa.
'Prison island': Over a decade dafter checking into the beachfront Hotel Milena, which is staffed by convicts on probation, Giulia Manca has remained on the Italian island of Pianosa.
Courtesy Giulia Manca
<strong>New life:</strong> Manca serves as both the manager of the hotel and supervisor of the island's rehabilitation program, which is open to prisoners who meet a specific criteria.
New life: Manca serves as both the manager of the hotel and supervisor of the island's rehabilitation program, which is open to prisoners who meet a specific criteria.
Courtesy Giulia Manca
<strong>Unique hotel: </strong>The only accommodation facility on the island, Hotel Milena features frescoed ceilings, as well as an on site restaurant.
Unique hotel: The only accommodation facility on the island, Hotel Milena features frescoed ceilings, as well as an on site restaurant.
Courtesy Giulia Manca
<strong>'Italian Alcatraz': </strong>Pianosa was the base for a maximum security prison up until 1998, when the prison was shut down.
'Italian Alcatraz': Pianosa was the base for a maximum security prison up until 1998, when the prison was shut down.
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<strong>Dark past:</strong> It was once nicknamed the Devil's Island, but Pianosa is now a retreat beloved for its beautiful beaches and lush green vegetation.
Dark past: It was once nicknamed the Devil's Island, but Pianosa is now a retreat beloved for its beautiful beaches and lush green vegetation.
Courtesy Giulia Manca
<strong>Blissful retreat:</strong> "I fell in love with Pianosa," says Manca. "Its silence, the turquoise clear paradise-like sea, the peaceful starry nights."
Blissful retreat: "I fell in love with Pianosa," says Manca. "Its silence, the turquoise clear paradise-like sea, the peaceful starry nights."
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<strong>Bold move:</strong> "People kept saying I was mad to take on such a job," says Manca. "To be the only woman to work and live side-by-side with male offenders who haven't been accused of light crimes."
Bold move: "People kept saying I was mad to take on such a job," says Manca. "To be the only woman to work and live side-by-side with male offenders who haven't been accused of light crimes."
Marco Saracco/Adobe Stock
<strong>Pastel-colored rooms:</strong> Open year-round, Hotel Milena has 11 rooms with wooden furniture and a sea view.
Pastel-colored rooms: Open year-round, Hotel Milena has 11 rooms with wooden furniture and a sea view.
Courtesy Giulia Manca
<strong>Deserted location: </strong>Visitors were not permitted on Pianosa until relatively recently, and those who do come here can only visit as part of an organized boat tour, which must be booked via specific tour operators.<br />
Deserted location: Visitors were not permitted on Pianosa until relatively recently, and those who do come here can only visit as part of an organized boat tour, which must be booked via specific tour operators.
Courtesy Giulia Manca
<strong>Staff and guests: </strong>The inmates who are accepted on to Hotel Milena's rehabilitation program, pictured with guests, work as hotel cooks, gardeners, waiters, beach cleaners and dishwashers. <br />
Staff and guests: The inmates who are accepted on to Hotel Milena's rehabilitation program, pictured with guests, work as hotel cooks, gardeners, waiters, beach cleaners and dishwashers.
Courtesy Giulia Manca
<strong>High success rate: </strong>Manca is extremely proud of the success of the "Pianosa model," explaining that the rate of those who've spent time on the island returning to crime has dropped to 0.01%.
High success rate: Manca is extremely proud of the success of the "Pianosa model," explaining that the rate of those who've spent time on the island returning to crime has dropped to 0.01%.
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