Prima di Santo Stefano. Sulle carceri civili a Napoli in antico regime

Abstract

This essay focuses mainly on narrative sources that help to understand the peculiarities of prisons (non-ecclesiastical) in Naples from the late 16th century to the second half of the 18th century, trying to foster a comparison between prisons in the various European states in the old regime and later. The condition of prisoners was made more difficult by the obligation to pay ‘diritti’ introduced by the jailers. To the promiscuity, chaos, relative freedom even of having their wives or prostitutes in prison, the Jesuits tried to remedy. Charles of Bourbon will have to address some unresolved problems by responding to an appeal.