Bella Centre

Bella Center is one of two Community Custody Units (CCU’s), located in Dundee, and was founded in 2022. CCU’s are small-scale detention facilities tailored to support the needs of women in custody through a gender-specific and trauma-informed approach. Seamlessly integrated into local communities, these units provide safe accommodation to meet the needs of women seeking closer ties to their communities and access to essential services. The overarching goal is to promote independence to facilitate a smooth transition to society after incarceration.

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SMALL-SCALE

Bella centre has room for sixteen women. Entering one of the CCU houses feels like stepping into a domestic home, designed to foster and support independent living. The upstairs features four bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, while the downstairs includes a communal living and cooking area.

SMALL-scale

Bella centre has room for sixteen women. Entering one of the CCU houses feels like stepping into a domestic home, designed to foster and support independent living. The upstairs features four bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, while the downstairs includes a communal living and cooking area.

about

Bella centre has room for sixteen women. Entering one of the CCU houses feels like stepping into a domestic home, designed to foster and support independent living. The upstairs features four bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, while the downstairs includes a communal living and cooking area.

Bella Centre is a:

Open detention facility

for:

16 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

Bella Centre is a:

Open detention facility

for:

16 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

Bella Centre is a:

Open detention facility

for:

16 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

DIFFERENTIATION

The target group of the CCU (Community Custody Unit) includes all women in the prison system, with a focus on those serving less than 4 years. Placement considers their individual needs, level of support required, readiness for independent living, and the availability of more suitable options within the prison estate, aiming to place each woman in the facility best equipped to support her. Women are empowered to manage their sentence through a new case management approach. Each woman collaborates with her personal officer to develop an individualized plan, identifying her specific needs, skills, and assets, along with the support services and interventions that would be most beneficial.

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATION

Community integration was actively pursued from before the opening through personal contacts with local authorities and residents, beginning with presentations at the community center to explain the project and address issues. This dialogue continued during the construction process and the community was given the opportunity to visit the facility before it was officially opened. CCUs are designed to allow for more open and family-friendly visits compared to traditional prison environments, with a community center with areas for learning events and drop-in sessions. The environment is child-friendly and has a garden, which promotes positive family interactions and supports women in maintaining valuable family bonds.

Differentiation

The target group of the CCU (Community Custody Unit) includes all women in the prison system, with a focus on those serving less than 4 years. Placement considers their individual needs, level of support required, readiness for independent living, and the availability of more suitable options within the prison estate, aiming to place each woman in the facility best equipped to support her. Women are empowered to manage their sentence through a new case management approach. Each woman collaborates with her personal officer to develop an individualized plan, identifying her specific needs, skills, and assets, along with the support services and interventions that would be most beneficial.

Community-integration

Community integration was actively pursued from before the opening through personal contacts with local authorities and residents, beginning with presentations at the community center to explain the project and address issues. This dialogue continued during the construction process and the community was given the opportunity to visit the facility before it was officially opened. CCUs are designed to allow for more open and family-friendly visits compared to traditional prison environments, with a community center with areas for learning events and drop-in sessions. The environment is child-friendly and has a garden, which promotes positive family interactions and supports women in maintaining valuable family bonds.

Visited during the wish-eu project

Community integration was actively pursued from before the opening through personal contacts with local authorities and residents, beginning with presentations at the community center to explain the project and address issues. This dialogue continued during the construction process and the community was given the opportunity to visit the facility before it was officially opened. CCUs are designed to allow for more open and family-friendly visits compared to traditional prison environments, with a community center with areas for learning events and drop-in sessions. The environment is child-friendly and has a garden, which promotes positive family interactions and supports women in maintaining valuable family bonds.
more information

the Scottish Prison System

Bella Centre

Blogpost Community Custody Units

English blogpost

Interviewed by Prison Insider (15-11-2023)

RESCALED

the Scottish Prison System

Bella Centre

Blogpost Community Custody Units

Report

Visit

Interviewed by Prison Insider (15-11-2023)

WISH-EU

the Scottish Prison System

Bella Centre

Blogpost Community Custody Units

Report

Interviewed by Prison Insider (15-11-2023)

RESCALED

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"Shaping the future, a 1000 originals”

#1000detentionhouses 

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