💭 During the 2026 European Symposium on Detention Houses in Albania, held in April, we explored a fundamental question: What if justice began not in the courtroom, but in the community? Not with punishment, but with belonging?
Our speakers highlighted the vital role of community reintegration and demonstrated how small-scale, differentiated, and community-integrated detention houses can foster inclusion rather than isolation. A justice system should not exclude people from society, it should support successful reintegration created through dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding between those inside and outside the justice system. The meaningful exchange of knowledge, lived experiences, and insights is essential to fostering more inclusive and effective approaches to justice.
The 2026 European Symposium on Detention Houses is co-organised with the FRAME project ‘Frame for Realising, Assessing and Monitoring Small-Scale Detention in Europe’. It is 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. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.
