CATANZARO, Italy – An Italian mobster, while serving a life sentence at the Calabrian prison of Catanzaro, has made headlines for penning a 170-page thesis paper based on his life of crime. Catello Romano, 33, earned a sociology degree with the dissertation, in which he confessed to three unsolved murders. The incarcerated mafia member’s academic achievement is drawing attention from both the public and law enforcement officials, as he delves into the details of his criminal past and mindset.
In his autobiography entitled “Criminal Fascination,” Romano wrote in detail about his criminal history and the events that led him to a life of crime. According to El País, a Spanish newspaper, the thesis is a self-reflection that documents Romano’s involvement in multiple Camorra murders and provides insight into the allure of the mafia lifestyle. He admitted to the previously unsolved slaying of a rival mafioso and detailed his family history, arguing that the mafia is an attractive institution for those who grew up on the margins of society.
Romano’s admission to the three unprosecuted killings has sparked the interest of prosecutors, leading to his transfer to a maximum-security prison in Padua. While he worked with the state after admitting to killing a councilman, his cooperation with the government was short-lived after he escaped from custody. Despite this, a Catanzaro University professor and sociologist praised Romano as a “brilliant student,” commending his determination to expose the circumstances in his thesis. The professor described Romano’s thesis as a method of organizing the episodes of his life for analysis through a sociological research method, which had a therapeutic function.
As Romano’s story continues to unfold, more attention will likely be given to his insightful and revealing dissertation, raising new questions about the criminal underworld and its impact on both its participants and society as a whole. This case underscores the complexities of the criminal phenomenon and the potential for individual redemption, but also highlights the ongoing challenge of preventing further criminal activity. Romano’s remorseful reflections and detailed confessions may provide valuable insights for both sociological study and law enforcement efforts, shedding light on the inner workings of organized crime and the potential for rehabilitation.