FARINACCI, PROSPERO

born Oct. 30, 1544, Rome died Oct. 30, 1618, Rome Latin Farinaccius Italian jurist whose Praxis et Theorica Criminalis (1616) was the strongest influence on penology in Roman-law countries until the reforms of the criminologist-economist Cesare Beccaria (173894). The Praxis is most noteworthy as the definitive work on the jurisprudence of torture. After studying at Padua and earning a reputation as an advocate, Farinacci entered papal service under Clement VIII and was procurator general to Paul V. A staunch churchman, Farinacci upheld the inviolability of the confessional seal against all theories of state necessity.