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mysteryowl

(9,361 posts)
Thu Jul 16, 2026, 11:27 AM 15 hrs ago

Italy: 'Free to choose' bill for mafia wives and kids to opt out becomes law Allows Mob offspring, partners to step away

A so-called 'free to choose' bill offering legal and fruitful alternative lives to the children and wives of mafiosi became law when it won final approval in the Senate Wednesday.

The law, the fruit of a move by a minors' court chair in the Sicilian city of Catania, will enable Mafia offspring up to the age of 25 and the female partners of mafiosi to opt out of Mob life and be free to build legal futures for themselves instead of following their father's and men's footsteps into organised crime.

The President of the Parliamentary Anti-Mafia Commission, Chiara Colosimo, said: "Today, Parliament is translating into law a dream that for years seemed impossible. That dream is called Free to Choose. It is a strong, just law, born from the courage of those who decided to break the fate that crime sought to impose.

"Today, I think of the faces, the gazes, and the stories I have encountered over the years. Stories of pain, tears, and fear, but also of an extraordinary thirst for freedom that have remained imprinted on my skin and in my conscience.
"They are the ones who have given strength to this battle. "This law is born from listening, from suffering transformed into responsibility, from the idea that the State must be present precisely where crime claims to decide people's fate.

https://www.ansa.it/english/news/general_news/2026/07/15/free-to-choose-bill-for-mafia-wives-and-kids-to-opt-out_0126ec70-6e89-44d5-b244-84c191893538.html


Wonderful! Italy has tried so many ways to stop the gangster crime family from perpetuating.
This will put a huge dent in it. Congratulations!

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Italy: 'Free to choose' bill for mafia wives and kids to opt out becomes law Allows Mob offspring, partners to step away (Original Post) mysteryowl 15 hrs ago OP
Nice Idea, But... ProfessorGAC 15 hrs ago #1
well, I have read a couple articles about their issue and previous solutions have failed. mysteryowl 7 hrs ago #3
I read it as having access to something like witness protection meadowlander 7 hrs ago #6
The Good Mothers is an excellent series to stream. likesmountains 52 14 hrs ago #2
Thanks! I will watch this. mysteryowl 7 hrs ago #4
OK, I found the book at my public library. I will read it. Thanks! mysteryowl 7 hrs ago #5
Great! I hope you enjoy it. likesmountains 52 6 hrs ago #7

ProfessorGAC

(77,841 posts)
1. Nice Idea, But...
Thu Jul 16, 2026, 11:46 AM
15 hrs ago

...what does the law mean to an organization whose entire business model involves breaking the law?
I guess removing the legal taint from wives & kids is good, but then why stop at age 25?

mysteryowl

(9,361 posts)
3. well, I have read a couple articles about their issue and previous solutions have failed.
Thu Jul 16, 2026, 07:37 PM
7 hrs ago

I applaud their efforts. They worked hard at this new law.
It will save some kids and wives.

meadowlander

(5,213 posts)
6. I read it as having access to something like witness protection
Thu Jul 16, 2026, 07:58 PM
7 hrs ago

but without having to be an informant.

likesmountains 52

(4,302 posts)
2. The Good Mothers is an excellent series to stream.
Thu Jul 16, 2026, 12:20 PM
14 hrs ago

Based on a true story. Also, a good book.

&t=5s

mysteryowl

(9,361 posts)
4. Thanks! I will watch this.
Thu Jul 16, 2026, 07:38 PM
7 hrs ago


Oh, I don't have a Hulu subscription. Maybe I will read the book or find the film elsewhere.

mysteryowl

(9,361 posts)
5. OK, I found the book at my public library. I will read it. Thanks!
Thu Jul 16, 2026, 07:55 PM
7 hrs ago

Courageous and powerful women!

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