Speak for Change
Practical recommendations for addressing common questions and misconceptions, opening space for dialogue, and fostering trust. It draws on the experiences of places that have already taken steps toward community-integrated detention facilities, as well as insights from people directly involved in and affected by the justice system.
Dention Houses For Women
A Guide to Communication with the Public and the Local Community
The aim of this guide is to help create the conditions in which detention houses – small-scale, differentiated, and community-integrated facilities – can be understood, welcomed, and meaningfully embedded within local communities. Moving from large prison institutions to detention houses is not simply a logistical change; it is a shift in how we think about justice, dignity, safety, and social connection.
New initiatives in this direction often encounter familiar barriers: deeply rooted beliefs that equate justice with punishment and isolation, and concerns about having any form of detention “close to home.” These reactions are shaped by longstanding narratives about crime and incarceration, rather than by knowledge of what detention houses actually are, and what they are not.
This guide offers practical recommendations for addressing common questions and misconceptions, opening space for dialogue, and fostering trust. It draws on the experiences of places that have already taken steps toward community-integrated detention facilities, as well as insights from people directly involved in and affected by the justice system.
Its purpose is simple: to support communities, stakeholders, and decision-makers in building understanding, reducing fear, and laying the groundwork for a justice approach that prioritises human dignity, safety, and meaningful reintegration.
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Detention Houses
Narrative
Framing
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Purpose of the Guide
Today’s prison systems are failing everyone. They are often rooted in outdated models that no longer align with contemporary legal standards, social realities, or ethical principles. Maintaining large prison institutions implies maintaining a justice system in which some citizens are disproportionately affected and repeatedly excluded from society. These systems isolate people from their communities, families, and the social connections essential for building meaningful lives after release. Rather than addressing underlying issues, large prison institutions apply standardized, one-size-fits-all approaches that ignore the diverse circumstances and requirements of the people they house.
RESCALED advocates for detention houses: small-scale, differentiated, and community-integrated facilities as a replacement for large prison institutions. This approach benefits everyone: it creates environments that respect human dignity, enables tailored support that addresses individual needs, maintains vital social connections, and provides people with genuine opportunities to build better futures.
Impactful change for all, including women: Although women represent only 6.8% of the total prison population worldwide, their numbers are growing faster than men’s, and they face additional challenges in systems designed without their specific needs in mind. Women in detention may navigate complex responsibilities and circumstances that large prison institutions often fail to address, from maintaining family relationships to accessing appropriate healthcare.
Women and the Justice System
We are not just a database or digital library. We are a collaborative, transformation space where people can connect, share experiences, and work together to drive real systemic change:
- Personal stories meet academic and practical evidence
- Inspirational practices become roadmaps for change
- RESCALED principles translate into concrete actions for women involved with the justice system
- European collaboration becomes a tangible reality
Together, we’re not just sharing what we know – we’re co-creating what comes next.
Who are the Women in Detention?
We are not just a database or digital library. We are a collaborative, transformation space where people can connect, share experiences, and work together to drive real systemic change:
- Personal stories meet academic and practical evidence
- Inspirational practices become roadmaps for change
- RESCALED principles translate into concrete actions for women involved with the justice system
- European collaboration becomes a tangible reality
Together, we’re not just sharing what we know – we’re co-creating what comes next.
Detention Houses
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What Are Detention Houses?
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Why Detention Houses for Women?
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Local Community Perspective
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narrative
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Speaking from Values
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How People Think
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Frames & Reactions
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Creating Openness
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Framing
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Framing Detention Houses Locally
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Common Concerns & Responses
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Engaging Stakeholders
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Communication Strategy & Steps
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Tools, Cases & Resources
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Empowering Women in Detention
The Knowledge Workspace for and by WOMEN is a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming the landscape of women’s detention. By shifting from traditional prison models to community-integrated detention houses, we foster environments that prioritize human dignity and social equity. This platform serves as a hub for sharing insights, building networks, and co-creating solutions among European stakeholders dedicated to this transformative journey.
