ROME, Italy – An Italian mobster serving a life sentence in a Calabrian prison has made headlines for an unlikely achievement – graduating with honors after completing a 170-page thesis paper that confesses to three unsolved murders.
Catello Romano, 33, wrote the autobiographical thesis entitled “Criminal Fascination” and earned a sociology degree from Catanzaro University. The thesis detailed his life of crime and also included confessions to the previously unsolved murders, adding another layer of controversy to his academic accomplishment.
Romano confessed to the 2009 murder of Naples councilman Luigi Tommasino, as well as the killings of rival mobsters Carmine D’Antuono and Nunzio Mascolo. He described these murders as the most violent and traumatic events of his life, indicating a level of remorse and introspection in his writing.
The mobster-turned-undergraduate also reflected on his family history and the factors that led him to a life of crime, arguing that the mafia served as an attractive family “institution” for those who grew up on the margins of society. He admitted that violence became a language for claiming respect and social recognition, acknowledging that it was not something to be proud of.
While Romano’s academic achievement was lauded by his thesis advisor as a brilliant piece of work, his confession to three murders has sparked the interest of prosecutors. They may consider reopening the cases, leading to his transfer to a maximum-security prison in Padua.
The thesis, which the imprisoned mobster described as an “autoethnographic text,” aimed to bring a sociological perspective to the criminal phenomenon and contribute to its possible prevention, showcasing a level of self-awareness and desire for societal change. Romano’s academic feat, coupled with his confessions, has sparked a debate about the rehabilitation and education of incarcerated individuals.
Ultimately, Romano’s story raises questions about the intersection of crime, education, and rehabilitation within the prison system, with implications for both the individual and society at large. His academic achievement, while controversial, shines a light on the complexities of criminal justice and the potential for transformation behind bars.