Breaking Good: Mafia Kids

Mafia children will be the undoing of their parents

Breaking Good: Mafia Kids Italy's most powerful and enduring mafias are built on blood ties. This Dateline investigation discusses the controversial program that is removing children from their families in the hope of breaking this cycle.
Judge Roberto Di Bella founded the Free to Choose programme in 2012 with the aim of “disrupting inevitable life trajectories". The programme removes children from mafia affiliated families and gives them a chance to rebuild their lives away from this crime filled environment. However, not everyone is supportive of these endeavours. Alessandra Dino, a professor of sociology, argues that "the removal of a minor from their family, even in cases of violence, is still an act of violence". She also states that this programme unfairly targets Italy's poor - rather than the wealthy mafia bosses. Siria and Alessia Cacciatore are two sisters who were taken in as part of this programme and whose entire family remain held in prison. Alessia, now 19, recently left the foster home, moved into her own apartment and is working and paying rent. She is now married and starting her own family. In Alessia's words: "In the programme, I had love, something I hadn't known before...This is my second life".
FULL SYNOPSIS

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