TRADE UNION DIALOGUE AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN THE PRISON SECTOR: CURRENT ISSUES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Carlo Pisani

Full Professor, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

in Polizia Penitenziaria Contemporanea,  n. 0/settembre 2025

The critical issues currently affecting the prison system – internal security, staff shortages, and overcrowding – have a profound impact on the working conditions of the Penitentiary Police. The response cannot rely on emergency measures, but must instead involve structured forms of dialogue between the administration and trade union organizations. Collective bargaining, even within the security sector, remains a key instrument for managing these challenges, balancing organizational needs with the protection of personnel. Another important area of concern relates to work-related stress and the regulation of occupational stress, which raises questions about the full application of organizational well-being standards to Penitentiary Police personnel.

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