It takes a village to do justice and undo injustice.
The ecosystem of a detention house is not limited to the physical boundaries of the detention house, nor is it limited to the boundaries of the criminal justice system. On the contrary, it exists at the junction of other ecosystems: that of the criminal justice system, the health care and mental health care system, the education system, the employment system etc. These different ecosystems interact and overlap, just as the ecosystems of forests and lakes do in nature. Such a holistic approach to detention houses is needed because of the complex nature of the social challenges they are facing and trying to meet.
This reader examines the ecosystem of detention houses, focusing on their dynamic interplay with societal systems and the pathways to systemic change. It acknowledges the ongoing interaction between individuals, the detention house context, and the broader community. The document explores disruptive and harmonious influences on detention, drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, and considers the relationship between detention houses and restorative cities.
Our journey to understand the ecosystem of a detention house began on March 20, 2024, during the pre-conference event of the European Symposium on Detention Houses. More than 80 experts from across Europe came together to discuss 14 topics related to a detention house and explore their interconnections. The valuable insights shared during this event laid the foundation for further developing the detention house ecosystem perspective.
Through a series of workshops, specific topics were examined in depth, always keeping the broader ecosystem in focus. The pre-conference event served as a platform to connect research, practice, and policy, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise. These collaborations sparked new insights, fostered shared understanding, and inspired innovative solutions.
While the development of this perspective remains a work in progress, the INSPIRE project, the pre-conference event, and the INSPIRE Academy have already played a pivotal role in driving the understanding of the detention house ecosystem.
By adopting a systemic and holistic approach, we aim to ensure that transitioning from large prison institutions to detention houses contributes to creating more inclusive, safe, and sustainable societies
Welcome to Let’s Talk RESCALED, the podcast where we dive deep into the heart of justice reform. In this first episode, listeners learn more about the RESCALED movement—its mission, values, and vision for a justice system that fosters dignity, safety, and inclusion. The episode discusses the core principles of detention houses: small scale, differentiation, and community integration, and why they are essential to creating a more humane and effective approach to deprivation of liberty. By exploring how detention houses strengthen the social fabric, address systemic inequities, and foster reintegration into society the audience better understands their dynamic interaction with their local urban, economic and social context.
In this episode, Let’s Talk RESCALED welcomes Khalil Chait, Program Manager at Humanitas and Founder of Stichting SILEO, a non-profit organisation empowering individuals with lived experience of incarceration. Together, Noa and Khalil discuss the inspiring work of SILEO, the importance of building networks for reintegration, and the ambitious vision behind the upcoming Global Justice Symposium (GJS), bringing together change-makers, experts with lived experience to foster collaboration and innovation.
Detention houses are characterized by three principles: small-scale, differentiation and community-integration. Unlocking the keys to community integration in the implementation of a detention house is not just about laying bricks and building walls in a neighbourhood – it is about coherence of communication, collaboration and cohesion with stakeholders and local residents. Creating community integration when implementing a detention house can be a challenge. What is the best strategy? Is there one possible strategy that applies to different countries, each with its own political landscape and cultural characteristics? There is no easy answer to these questions.
Our societies are under more and more fiscal strain due to increased wages, better healthcare and an ageing population in the Western world. Crime is a significant burden for society both on an economic and social level. The need for a criminal justice system that is both productive and cost-effective will only increase.
People with lived experience may be exactly what the criminal justice system needs. (Re)habilitation of individuals who offend is probably far less expensive than their reoffending will prove to be. The knowledge of lived experience individuals, who know the criminal justice system from within, offers a unique understanding of how to make rehabilitation efforts as effective as possible.
Detention houses have emerged on the local, national and, more recently, even the European level, attracting the attention of policymakers, researchers, practitioners and civil society. These detention houses are based on three principles that reinforce each other: small-scale, differentiation and community-integration. If people are to be deprived of their liberty as a pre-trial measure or as a sentence, a detention house provides the right context for each individual. To fully grasp the value and potential of detention houses, we need to look beyond their observable features (like their scale or location) and consider all dimensions of their ecosystem. This blog text will explain this ecosystem approach and how this can be applied to justice reform.
Incarceration is often framed as a significant financial burden on society, with discussions frequently focusing on its immediate costs — such as daily expenses for housing people in detention. However, this perspective risks missing the larger picture: the societal and economic consequences of detention and the potential for meaningful justice reform. A holistic approach to justice emphasises investing in people, not just systems, recognising that the true costs of incarceration extend far beyond budgets and balance sheets. By adopting solutions like detention houses, society can reduce long-term economic burdens while fostering more inclusive and safer communities.
In November 2023, Rescaled was invited by rubikon, a partner in the INSPIRE project, to visit Prague. During the trip, we attended a symposium focused on women in prison and had the opportunity to visit the women’s prison in Řepy. Established in 1996 in collaboration with the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Karel Boromejský, the facility is known for its relatively open regime and unique rule.
In May 2024, RESCALED visited Leira detention house in Trondheim, Norway: with capacity for 31 men, the residents, and staff closely collaborate with local schools, employers, and the garden centre — Leira Gartneri. The centre is visited daily by customers from the Trondheim region and employs people both from inside and outside the facility.
Leira provides an example of what detention can and should look like in a just society.
This training is the first module of the INSPIRE Academy, consisting of three modules, exploring the ecosystem of detention houses, their relationship to restorative cities, and their connections to social enterprises. In this module, you will explore the ecosystem of small-scale, differentiated and community-integrated detention houses. You will learn more about the dynamic interactions between individuals, the detention house and the broader community and consider how these connections shape possibilities for the future. From an ecosystem perspective, this module highlights the importance of interconnected social systems in rethinking detention.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.