In 1978, Italy passed a law to shut down its Asylums. The asylums were ageing, horrfying institutions that weren’t so great at looking after people. Two people at the centre of the change were Franco Basaglia and his wife, Franca Ongaro Basaglia. 

Historian John Foot accidentally discovered this story at a documentary screening, and wrote a book on them. He explains why what they did is such a big thing.

Links from this episode:

John’s book is available in all the places.

The documentary that moved John was called San Clemente, by  Raymond Depardon and Sophie Ristelhueber.

If you’re interested in how this ‘deinstutionalisation’ works with current mental health services, one of the best round ups is from the US (covering their system, but similar dilemmas). Of course, it’s by John Oliver.

Songs from How to Close All of Italy’s Asylums:
The Solist in the Living Room — Cold War Kids
La Strada — Nino Rota
8 1/2 — Nino Rota
Paris Mood — Tom Waits

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