Transition house Enghien

Transition house Enghien is a newly established facility located in Enghien (Edingen), in the French-speaking part of Belgium. Opened in 2024, this transition house is part of a national initiative that has already resulted in the creation of three other transition houses across Belgium, including locations in Mechelen, Gentbrugge, and Leuven. Notably, this is the first transition house in Wallonia.

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Managed by ORS Serco, a private service provider with a focus on security for governments across Europe and worldwide, the house operates in collaboration with the municipality of Enghien and the prison administration. Recognizing that returning to a normal life can be a significant challenge, the transition house aims to support individuals at every stage of their reintegration journey, offering guidance from life coaches and power coaches.

SMALL-SCALE

Transition house Enghien has room for fifteen people. They all live together in one building.

SMALL-scale

Transition house Enghien has room for fifteen people. They all live together in one building.

about

Transition house Enghien has room for fifteen people. They all live together in one building.

Transition house Enghien is a:

Transition house (during the sentence)

for:

15 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

Transition house Enghien is a:

Transition house (during the sentence)

for:

15 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

Transition house Enghien is a:

Transition house (during the sentence)

for:

15 PEOPLE,
Men

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated, Small-scale

DIFFERENTIATION

The target group of transition house Enghien are men serving long prison sentences who are eligible to stay at the transition house from 18 months before their parole. To be eligible, residents must be proficient in French and able to live in groups, as communal living is an important aspect of the programme.
The program in starts with developing personal plans that promote autonomy and address individual needs. Residents are guided through a progressive pathway that closely monitors their development and emphasizes skills needed to live independently within the community. As part of this approach, residents actively participate in various activities designed to support their growth, such as educational programs, vocational training and efforts to bring families back together.

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATION

Transition house Enghien has built a positive relationship with the local community, supported by the local government. The transition house works closely with the municipality, police, fire department and other authorities to promote a respectful environment for both residents and locals. This collaboration provides residents with opportunities to volunteer or work within the community, allowing them to make meaningful contributions and build bonds. Residents are encouraged to engage with the community as needed, for example, by using local services or playing sports in the community. Because the facility opened only recently, it remains to be seen how community integration will further manifest itself in practice.

Differentiation

The target group of transition house Enghien are men serving long prison sentences who are eligible to stay at the transition house from 18 months before their parole. To be eligible, residents must be proficient in French and able to live in groups, as communal living is an important aspect of the programme.
The program in starts with developing personal plans that promote autonomy and address individual needs. Residents are guided through a progressive pathway that closely monitors their development and emphasizes skills needed to live independently within the community. As part of this approach, residents actively participate in various activities designed to support their growth, such as educational programs, vocational training and efforts to bring families back together.

Community-integration

Transition house Enghien has built a positive relationship with the local community, supported by the local government. The transition house works closely with the municipality, police, fire department and other authorities to promote a respectful environment for both residents and locals. This collaboration provides residents with opportunities to volunteer or work within the community, allowing them to make meaningful contributions and build bonds. Residents are encouraged to engage with the community as needed, for example, by using local services or playing sports in the community. Because the facility opened only recently, it remains to be seen how community integration will further manifest itself in practice.

Visited during the wish-eu project

Transition house Enghien has built a positive relationship with the local community, supported by the local government. The transition house works closely with the municipality, police, fire department and other authorities to promote a respectful environment for both residents and locals. This collaboration provides residents with opportunities to volunteer or work within the community, allowing them to make meaningful contributions and build bonds. Residents are encouraged to engage with the community as needed, for example, by using local services or playing sports in the community. Because the facility opened only recently, it remains to be seen how community integration will further manifest itself in practice.