A woman named Julia Manca lives on the island of Pianosa, which was an Italian penal colony, and Manca moved to the island in 2011, and was looking forward to spending a comfortable, sunny holiday before returning home, and after 12 years had passed since she had checked into the beachfront “Melina” hotel, Employed by convicts under surveillance and supervised, Manca stayed on the island known as Alcatraz, the Tyrrhenian Sea..

Manka is the only woman on Ghost Island

Manka, the only woman on the ghost island, works as a hotel manager and oversees a rehabilitation program on the island, which is run by a non-profit organization and aims to help vulnerable people, such as prisoners, return to society, according to the website. CNN Arabic.

“I stayed a week in the hotel and didn’t want to leave. It was a unique vacation and I was amazed by the prisoner rehabilitation project, how they get a second chance at life,” Manca said. “I fell in love with Pianosa.”

Julia Manca

Pianosa, formerly called the Devil’s Island, lies between Corsica and the mainland, and was a much-loved happy getaway due to its beautiful beaches and lush green vegetation..

Manka lives with 10 convicted criminals

Manka only, and one other person who resides permanently on the island, and works alongside the prison guard, in addition to 10 male convicts, who work as cooks, gardeners, waiters, and beach cleaners in the “Melina” hotel, which is the only accommodation facility on the island, and it contains 11 rooms with Wooden furniture and a stunning view of the sea, in addition to a restaurant and a bar, and a large patio where evening drinks are served to guests.

Manka had been a guest at the unique hotel, which is open all year round, for only a few days when the then manager informed her that the establishment was struggling financially and was in danger of closing..

the hotel

If that had happened, the detainees would have had to be sent back to prison, putting a swift end to their time in Bianosa..

“I felt I had to do something to help them or they would go back behind bars, in small cells without any chance of a fresh start and learning a job that could help them once they are released,” said Manca, who previously worked as a tour agent.“.

Manca, who grew up in Tuscany, decided to stay and take the position of hotel manager.

She says she initially worked for free, using her managerial skills and within just a few years, Manca was able to turn things around dramatically, and Hotel Melina became a popular venue for weddings and birthday parties, with guests drawn in part by its unconventional staff flocking to the hotel.

Over the past 12 years, Manca has dealt with nearly 100 criminals on probation for a number of crimes, including murder..

Although she notes that many of the prisoners have been convicted of more than “stealing flowers”, Manca has always felt comfortable on the island and considers it a safe haven..

Known as the “Queen of Pianosa”, Manca confirmed that her work had astonished her friends and loved ones due to the perceived dangers of being the only woman alongside a group of convicts..

Manka says, “People kept describing me as crazy for holding such a job, and for being the only woman who works and lives alongside male offenders accused of not small crimes.”

And she continued, “I never felt fear or anxiety, and I did not think about it once. Rather, I feel safer with them here than returning to the city.”“.

Manca revealed that those who do not appear willing to change risk being sent back to prison to complete the remainder of their sentence..