“I am not one and simple, but complex and many.”

– Virginia Wolf

identity

Identity is a multifaceted concept that can have different meanings depending on the context. Identity typically refers to the distinguishing characteristics or qualities that make an individual or a group unique. One can identify themselves through different types of identities; personal, cultural, gender, social, digital, etc. This can include various aspects such as personal traits, beliefs, values, cultural background, and social roles. Identity is often shaped by a combination of inherent factors (such as genetics) and environmental influences (such as culture and experiences). In a legal context, identity often involves personal information that uniquely identifies an individual, such as name, date of birth, and other identifying details. In certain situations, deprivation of liberty can impact an individual’s sense of identity. For example, imprisonment, especially if prolonged or under harsh conditions, can affect a person’s psychological well-being, self-perception, and social connections. Legal measures that involve restrictions on movement may influence an individual’s ability to express and explore their identity freely.

core questions

01.
How can we ensure that different identies are equally respected in a detention house?
02.
How do identity and community relate to each other?
03.
Should specific policy be created for specific target groups? If so, for who and why?
04.
When is it beneficial or harmful to differentiate the detention houses based on people’s identity (e.g. gender identity)?
Identity typically refers to the distinguishing characteristics or qualities that make an individual or a group unique. This can include various aspects such as personal traits, beliefs, values, cultural background, and social roles. Identity is often shaped by a combination of inherent factors (such as genetics) and environmental influences (such as culture and experiences).

IDENTITY

Identity is a multifaceted concept that can have different meanings depending on the context. Identity typically refers to the distinguishing characteristics or qualities that make an individual or a group unique. One can identify themselves through different types of identities; personal, cultural, gender, social, digital, etc. This can include various aspects such as personal traits, beliefs, values, cultural background, and social roles. Identity is often shaped by a combination of inherent factors (such as genetics) and environmental influences (such as culture and experiences). In a legal context, identity often involves personal information that uniquely identifies an individual, such as name, date of birth, and other identifying details. In certain situations, deprivation of liberty can impact an individual's sense of identity. For example, imprisonment, especially if prolonged or under harsh conditions, can affect a person's psychological well-being, self-perception, and social connections. Legal measures that involve restrictions on movement may influence an individual's ability to express and explore their identity freely.

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core questions

01.
How can we ensure that different identies are equally respected in a detention house?
02.
How do identity and community relate to each other?
03.
Should specific policy be created for specific target groups? If so, for who and why?
04.
When is it beneficial or harmful to differentiate the detention houses based on people’s identity (e.g. gender identity)?
Part II. INDIVIDUAL

Human dignity and identity

Art. 1

All persons affected by liberty deprivation - incarcerated people, staff, their family, loved ones, visitors, etc. - shall be treated with respect for their human dignity and human rights.

Art. 2

Health and Well-Being

  1. The health and well-being of incarcerated persons shall be safeguarded through active collaboration with health care services in the local community of the detention house.
  2. On reception, all individuals shall be assessed by a healthcare professional to identify their physical and mental health needs, and ensure continuity of care with the support of the local community.
  3. Individuals shall be provided with differentiated treatment appropriate to their physical and mental health condition, paying special attention to particularly vulnerable situations such as of young adults, elderly people and people with disabilities, physical or mental illness.
  4. Mental health care, such as therapy or counselling, shall be available as a general healthcare routine as opposed to only for specific or severe problems. Special attention shall be given to gender issues and its effects on mental health and feelings of safety.
  5. All individuals affected by liberty deprivation have the right to feeling safe. To this end, security measures shall be complemented and balanced with care and support.
Art. 4

Right to privacy

  1. Individual’s privacy shall be respected and guaranteed to the greatest possible extent.
  2. The detention house shall provide for individual accommodation, except where it is preferable for them to share sleeping accommodation.
  3. The detention house shall provide for private spaces for the resident to be alone, receive visitors and communicate with family, loved ones and independent bodies of inspection.
  4. The security measures shall be balanced with the right for privacy.
Art. 5

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

  1. Incarcerated people’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion shall be respected. They may not be compelled to practice, attend religious services or meetings or take part in practices of any religion or belief if they do not wish to do so.
  2. The detention house shall be organised to allow and empower incarcerated persons to practice their religion and follow their beliefs in an individual or communal setting. Time and space for this purpose shall be accommodated in the daily routine as far as practicable.
  3. Incarcerated people can attend services or meetings led by representatives of such religion or beliefs inside the detention house or in the local community. They can receive visits from such representatives and have in their possession books, literature or other items relating to their religion or beliefs.
  4. Respect for incarcerated people’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion shall be extended to autonomy on choice of clothing, food and cultural activities.
Art. 8

Person-first and identity-first language

  1. People in detention houses shall always be addressed by their own name.
  2. People in detention houses shall always be referred to in terms of person-first language.
Art. 9

Inclusion

  1. The small-scale environment of a detention house shall be organised in a way in which people feel included and represented in the group. Each person shall receive differentiated care and support.
  2. Equity shall be a guiding principle through recognising that each person has different needs and choosing different resources and opportunities to reach an equal outcome.
  3. The detention house shall promote an inclusive and safe environment within the local community.
  4. The contact of incarcerated individuals with the local community shall be encouraged, in and outside the detention house, through the offer of services or products to the community, organisation of joint activities and events.
Art. 10

Age-friendly

  1. Incarcerated persons shall have the opportunity to spend time with same-age peers and those of other ages through meaningful contact in and outside the detention house.
  2. Young adults shall be placed in detention houses with differentiated treatment compatible with their age-specific needs and that provide for integration with youth groups in the local community.
  3. Detention houses shall reduce ageist attitudes, prejudices and stereotypes through education and intergenerational contact inside the detention house and with the community.
Art. 11

Gender and sexual orientation

  1. There shall be no discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender or sexual orientation. Steps shall be taken to create an inclusive environment in the detention houses that promotes gender equality and
    respects gender identity.
  2. The staff will receive adequate information and training on gender related topics to identify and eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and inequality of opportunities based on sex, gender or sexual orientation.
  3. Detention houses shall be an inclusive environment for all, along with targeted support measures to address the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ individuals.
  4. The detention house will encourage contact with organisations from the local community that support and promote gender equality.
PART III. FACILITY

Social climate - communication

Art. 47

Language

  1. The detention house, its staff and its residents shall communicate with each other in the local language.
  2. Efforts shall be made by all to better understand and communicate with people of whom the local language is not their mother tongue and who face difficulties with the language. Language barriers may be overcome through the use of a translator from outside the detention house, a staff member, incarcerated person or digital translation.
  3. Important documents such as house rules and other instructions shall use simple terms and easy to understand language for non-native speakers and people confronted with analphabetism.
  4. Oral language skills and reading comprehension of a person shall be assessed and immediate support shall be offered upon admission.

THE EUROPEAN RULES ON DETENTION HOUSES​

The European Rules on Detention Houses (ERDH) is a milestone document for the criminal justice system and reflects the larger impact of this system on society. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of Europe, the ERDH were launched on October 31st as common standards to implement small-scale, differentiated and community-integrated detention houses in the European Union, as part of a pivotal change already happening in criminal justice systems across Europe. The ERDH set out the ecosystem of a detention house on its own and as part of, and within a community and society, emphasizing sustainability. As the European Prison Rules have been common standards for large-scale prison institutions, the European Rules on Detention Houses shall form essential standards for detention houses, in order to guarantee a way of liberty deprivation that is humane and more fit for the 21stcentury.

European Rules on Detention Houses [ERDH]

THE EUROPEAN RULES ON DETENTION HOUSES​​

The European Rules on Detention Houses (ERDH) is a milestone document for the criminal justice system and reflects the larger impact of this system on society. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of Europe, the ERDH were launched on October 31st as common standards to implement small-scale, differentiated and community-integrated detention houses in the European Union, as part of a pivotal change already happening in criminal justice systems across Europe. The ERDH set out the ecosystem of a detention house on its own and as part of, and within a community and society, emphasizing sustainability. As the European Prison Rules have been common standards for large-scale prison institutions, the European Rules on Detention Houses shall form essential standards for detention houses, in order to guarantee a way of liberty deprivation that is humane and more fit for the 21stcentury.

Part II. INDIVIDUAL

Human dignity and identity

Art. 1

All persons affected by liberty deprivation - incarcerated people, staff, their family, loved ones, visitors, etc. - shall be treated with respect for their human dignity and human rights.

Art. 2

Health and Well-Being

  1. The health and well-being of incarcerated persons shall be safeguarded through active collaboration with health care services in the local community of the detention house.
  2. On reception, all individuals shall be assessed by a healthcare professional to identify their physical and mental health needs, and ensure continuity of care with the support of the local community.
  3. Individuals shall be provided with differentiated treatment appropriate to their physical and mental health condition, paying special attention to particularly vulnerable situations such as of young adults, elderly people and people with disabilities, physical or mental illness.
  4. Mental health care, such as therapy or counselling, shall be available as a general healthcare routine as opposed to only for specific or severe problems. Special attention shall be given to gender issues and its effects on mental health and feelings of safety.
  5. All individuals affected by liberty deprivation have the right to feeling safe. To this end, security measures shall be complemented and balanced with care and support.
Art. 4

Right to privacy

  1. Individual’s privacy shall be respected and guaranteed to the greatest possible extent.
  2. The detention house shall provide for individual accommodation, except where it is preferable for them to share sleeping accommodation.
  3. The detention house shall provide for private spaces for the resident to be alone, receive visitors and communicate with family, loved ones and independent bodies of inspection.
  4. The security measures shall be balanced with the right for privacy.
Art. 5

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

  1. Incarcerated people’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion shall be respected. They may not be compelled to practice, attend religious services or meetings or take part in practices of any religion or belief if they do not wish to do so.
  2. The detention house shall be organised to allow and empower incarcerated persons to practice their religion and follow their beliefs in an individual or communal setting. Time and space for this purpose shall be accommodated in the daily routine as far as practicable.
  3. Incarcerated people can attend services or meetings led by representatives of such religion or beliefs inside the detention house or in the local community. They can receive visits from such representatives and have in their possession books, literature or other items relating to their religion or beliefs.
  4. Respect for incarcerated people’s freedom of thought, conscience and religion shall be extended to autonomy on choice of clothing, food and cultural activities.
Art. 8

Person-first and identity-first language

  1. People in detention houses shall always be addressed by their own name.
  2. People in detention houses shall always be referred to in terms of person-first language.
Art. 9

Inclusion

  1. The small-scale environment of a detention house shall be organised in a way in which people feel included and represented in the group. Each person shall receive differentiated care and support.
  2. Equity shall be a guiding principle through recognising that each person has different needs and choosing different resources and opportunities to reach an equal outcome.
  3. The detention house shall promote an inclusive and safe environment within the local community.
  4. The contact of incarcerated individuals with the local community shall be encouraged, in and outside the detention house, through the offer of services or products to the community, organisation of joint activities and events.
Art. 10

Age-friendly

  1. Incarcerated persons shall have the opportunity to spend time with same-age peers and those of other ages through meaningful contact in and outside the detention house.
  2. Young adults shall be placed in detention houses with differentiated treatment compatible with their age-specific needs and that provide for integration with youth groups in the local community.
  3. Detention houses shall reduce ageist attitudes, prejudices and stereotypes through education and intergenerational contact inside the detention house and with the community.
Art. 11

Gender and sexual orientation

  1. There shall be no discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender or sexual orientation. Steps shall be taken to create an inclusive environment in the detention houses that promotes gender equality and
    respects gender identity.
  2. The staff will receive adequate information and training on gender related topics to identify and eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and inequality of opportunities based on sex, gender or sexual orientation.
  3. Detention houses shall be an inclusive environment for all, along with targeted support measures to address the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ individuals.
  4. The detention house will encourage contact with organisations from the local community that support and promote gender equality.
PART III. FACILITY

Social climate - communication

Art. 47

Language

  1. The detention house, its staff and its residents shall communicate with each other in the local language.
  2. Efforts shall be made by all to better understand and communicate with people of whom the local language is not their mother tongue and who face difficulties with the language. Language barriers may be overcome through the use of a translator from outside the detention house, a staff member, incarcerated person or digital translation.
  3. Important documents such as house rules and other instructions shall use simple terms and easy to understand language for non-native speakers and people confronted with analphabetism.
  4. Oral language skills and reading comprehension of a person shall be assessed and immediate support shall be offered upon admission.
EUROPEAN RULES ON DETENTION HOUSES [ERDH]

European organisations

Publications
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Publications

Social Identification and Mental Health
Social Identification and Mental Health
Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey On The Culture of Inclusion
Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey On The Culture of Inclusion
EU: Digital identity
EU: Digital identity
UN Legal Identity for All
UN Legal Identity for All
Visual Identity Toolkit: Inspiring people to take injustice personally
Visual Identity Toolkit: Inspiring people to take injustice personally
What is identity?
What is identity?

What is the ‘self’? The 3 layers of your identity.

“Who am I?” It’s a question that humans have grappled with since the dawn of time, and most of us are no closer to an answer. Trying to pin down what makes you depends on which school of thought you prescribe to. Some argue that the self is an illusion, while others believe that finding one’s “true self” is about sincerity and authenticity. In this video, author Gish Jen, Harvard professor Michael Puett, psychotherapist Mark Epstein, and neuroscientist Sam Harris discuss three layers of the self, looking through the lens of culture, philosophy, and neuroscience.

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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 or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.

core values

Together, we want to create a space where everyone can feel accepted and respected – regardless of gender identity, skin colour, religion, ethnicity or ability. We assume that all participants come to our events with the best intentions and treat each other with respect.

Event measures will follow the sustainability charter for the EU2024 Presidency and give substance to the pursuit of sustainable consumption and production, the fight against global warming, the preservation of nature and biodiversity, the integration of the perspective of gender equality into policies, and the full participation of persons with disabilities on an equal footing with other citizens.