Emergency Reception Centre
Plain English
It's an emergency reception centre, run by prefetture (often through contracted operators), that hosts asylum seekers when the ordinary reception system (SAI) is full. CAS were meant to be temporary but have become long-term for many.
Why it matters
Many asylum seekers in Italy live in a CAS while their case is decided. Conditions, services, and integration support vary a lot from centre to centre.
Real example
"After landing in Sicily, Awad spent his first 18 months in a CAS near Crotone while his asylum case wound through the Commissione Territoriale."
Common confusion
CAS is for asylum seekers in the queue, not for recognised refugees. After international protection is granted, the SAI system is in theory the next step.
Official source
Ministero dell'Interno