Hosting to skim: organized crime and the reception of asylum seekers in Italy. Issue 12 (2nd December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luca, Davide; Proietti, Paola
• Is Part Of: Regional studies. Volume 56:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 2102
• Page End: 2116
• Publication Date: 2022-12-02
• Subjects: organized crime -- asylum seekers -- reception centres -- mafia infiltration -- public procurement; D73 -- H57 -- K42 -- R23; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 307.14
• DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2022.2039386
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-3404

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The paper investigates the link between organized crime and Italy's publicly funded asylum seekers' reception facilities. We gather detailed municipal-level data on the location of mafia activities and Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (SPRAR)-type reception centres, and provide evidence of how the local presence of mafia increases the likelihood of hosting reception facilities. Statistical evidence and in-depth expert interviews suggest that organized crime correlates with less transparent tendering procedures in the set-up of such centres, while hosting activities increase after local governments are infiltrated by mafias. Overall, results underscore the importance of measures aimed at contrasting organized crime, especially at times of 'crises' when public policy is subject to 'states of exception'.