Voices of Resilience
Women Shaping Justice
Justice reform must be shaped by the people who have lived its realities — and for women in detention, those realities are often overlooked, misunderstood, or entirely absent from decision-making.
This page brings together the voices and expertise of women who have experienced detention, the people who work alongside them during and after detention, survivors who have experienced harm, and children and family members of incarcerated people. These are not stories told about women, but reflections shared by women and those directly connected to their journeys – highlighting the specific challenges, strengths, responsibilities, and forms of resilience that emerge in systems never designed with their needs in mind. By listening to this diversity of lived experience, we deepen our understanding of what dignity, connection, and meaningful support truly require, and why small-scale, differentiated and community-integrated detention houses are essential for shaping justice with, for, and by women most affected.
Lived Experiences at the Forefront
Redefining Justice through Women’s Voices
Kristie Clelland of the Scottish Prison Service is a highly experienced Unit Manager at HMP & YOI Stirling, where she oversees the operations of a Community Custody Unit (CCU) for women.
She was interviewed by Jana Smiggels Kavková (RUBIKON Centrum) at a round table “Women and Detention Houses – The Scottish Experience” in Prague on September 15, 2025.
VIDEO
PODCAST
Between Awareness and Knowledge: Detention Houses in the Balkans
You can also listen on Spotify here
Noa Shoshan engages in an insightful conversation with Olta Qejvani, lecturer and researcher at universities in Albania and newly appointed individual member of RESCALED.
We explore the justice reform landscape in Albania and the broader Balkans region, examining how European values and local contexts can shape justice reform. Our guest shares valuable perspectives on the importance of research, awareness-raising, and community-driven change in advancing detention houses implementation.
Reflections from Within
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Echoes of Hope
Stories of Survival
Publication
Challenges and Triumphs
Stories of Strength
Explore the narratives of women who have navigated the complexities of detention. These stories reveal not only the struggles faced but also the incredible resilience and strength that emerge in the face of adversity. Through their voices, we gain insight into the unique challenges and the powerful journeys of transformation and empowerment.
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
New Podcast Episode Alert
Let’s Talk RESCALED: Coming Soon
LIVED EXPERIENCE AT THE CORE
Embedding Voices, Knowledge, and Expertise in the RESCALED Movement
The paper stresses the meaningful inclusion of people with lived experience, uniting diverse perspectives within one framework and centring the individual. It calls for lived experience to be embedded as a foundation for systemic change.
