The story of Michele Caddeo, 40, from Cagliari, an inmate in the Nuchis prison in Tempio, a high-security prison. He recounts his story in a long, handwritten letter (formed with foolscap sheets stitched together in a highly original patchwork), sent to Emanuele Dessì, director of L'Unione, in which he reconstructs his life, spent largely in prison. His last arrest was in 2023 on charges of drug trafficking conspiracy. "To date," Michele Caddeo writes, "between final convictions and requests from prosecutors, in addition to the years already served, which I've lost count of, I should be in prison for 46 years, not counting the two pending drug trials. I graduated from middle school and enrolled in art school, but lack of funds kept me away from school. It's a great regret; education and culture are fundamental." Childhood memories: "I was a good child, well-mannered, a dreamer, with a slightly accentuated dark side. I was already a grown-up child."
The writing
There's a desire that allows him to project his gaze beyond the prison walls: writing books. Writing is liberating, it frees the mind and spirit. It's a legal escape, a formidable therapy for mapping out the possible horizons of a new life. The first work is almost ready, it will be published soon. "Writing," he clarifies, "can save my life. I would like to become a famous writer. My cousin is well underway with the transcription of the book, which will be titled 'Historia,' which recounts the choices I've made, the suffering of prison, and above all, a reflection on how the birth of a child can change one's view of time and one's perspectives on life." A sequel is planned: "I've already thought of the title, 'Big Boss, Reality, Dream, Nightmare.' Those who read my books, I'm sure, will laugh, cry, and above all, gain a clearer understanding of the grave situation in prisons, now on the verge of collapse."
A tormented life
"At 11, I had my first run-in with the law, even though my parents, in every way and with the strength of their honesty, always tried to straighten out my rebellious nature." Later, drugs would take over his life. Narcotics consumed and sold. "I took my first line of cocaine to celebrate New Year's Eve 2000, and I still curse that day. I also tried LSD, heroin, ecstasy, cannabis." Arrests and prison arrived "for drug dealing, possession of weapons, resisting a public official, money laundering, and escapes." Many penitentiaries over the years, a hellish tour: "I started with the juvenile prison in Quartucciu, then Buoncammino, the penal colonies of Is Arenas and Isili, Uta, Bancali, Badu 'e Carros, Rebibbia, Tempio: "Prison kills slowly, it's a place of lost souls that doesn't improve the person."
