Madri in esecuzione penale esterna in Veneto: un’analisi intersezionale

This article presents some preliminary results of the research project “Punished Mothers: Women with Children Serving Sentences”. By adopting an intersectional approach, the article analyzes the situation of women who have minor children and who are serving community based sentences in the Veneto Region. After outlining the characteristics of these women, the contribution examines the criteria that guide magistrates’ assessments in deciding which alter-native measures to grant, as well as the acceptance or denial of requests made by the women (primarily the request for sentence deferment). Additionally, the contribution explores the fac-tors that influence social workers in drafting reports and in their interactions with these women. The analysis highlights how women’s relationship with the criminal justice system is influenced by dominant cultural constructs regarding gender and motherhood, as well as by processes of racialization and class membership.