A new approach to female rehabilitation in Scotland

On Wednesday, 18th February, I visited the Bella Centre with some of my classmates as part of our Human Rights Advocacy module. The tour included exploring the facility, meeting some staff members, and speaking with one of the residents.

The Bella Centre, which opened in 2022 in Dundee's Hilltown area, represents a significant advancement and major change in female rehabilitation care in Scotland by focusing on trauma-informed and gender specific care rather than traditional prison punishments. It was launched alongside a comparable facility in Glasgow, known as the Lilias Centre.

The Bella Centre is a welcoming facility capable of supporting up to 16 women and young people with minimal supervision needs. Unlike conventional prisons, it fosters a more relaxed and open environment that promotes growth. Women are empowered to live independently in shared houses, which helps them acquire essential practical skills that prepare them for real-world challenges.

The centre boasts a spacious communal area featuring a fully equipped kitchen, a diverse selection of board games, and expansive outdoor facilities. Residents can easily invite visitors, participate in a variety of engaging events and activities, attend group meetings, or simply unwind and enjoy their free time. 

Initially, I was surprised by how relaxed the centre was. It was open, contemporary, and filled with natural light, a stark contrast to what I assumed their previous experience in enclosed facilities was like. Residents could be seen freely walking between their houses and the communal area, around the building, and engaging in activities such as using the gym or participating in events. While we were visiting, they were hosting a wellness yoga event.

During our tour of the accommodation, we were shown the main living area, which features an open-plan design combining a large kitchen and living room. In one of these houses, we met a resident with whom we had a meaningful conversation about her experiences at the Bella Centre. 

The resident spoke at length about how, since moving to the centre, she has uncovered a true passion for baking, which she wholeheartedly credits to the support and opportunities provided by the Bella Centre. She passionately shares how her love for baking transforms her family visits into meaningful moments, allowing her to give back and feel less like a burden, something that was not possible for her before she moved to Bella Centre. This heartfelt growth highlights how the centre actively empowers residents to live independently.

We also learned how the centre strongly emphasises empowering residents to take charge of their own reintegration process. This approach includes encouraging them to keep their weekly shopping within a £30 budget, equivalent to the weekly food costs for a prisoner in closed facilities. Unlike in traditional prisons, residents at Bella Centre are responsible for their own shopping and cooking, which fosters independence. This autonomy not only helps them develop vital life skills but also motivates them to make positive choices about their diet and lifestyle.

The resident explained that she is now permitted to leave the centre to do her shopping in person instead of ordering online. She can also leave the facility to attend support groups, rather than having them visit her at the centre. Additionally, she can leave for work arrangements that the centre assists in setting up for residents. This change is intended to help residents reintegrate into society more smoothly. 

At first, to ease the adjustment to outside life, a staff member would accompany residents to assist with tasks like shopping and help them get used to being in public again. The resident noted that the process initially felt overwhelming and intimidating, but staff support made her feel more comfortable and relaxed. Staff also mentioned that participating in activities outside the facility, such as shopping or support groups, has been beneficial for residents. 

Reintegrating into society can be very challenging for those who have experienced imprisonment, making it a crucial part of their reintegration process. Staff dress in their own clothes to avoid drawing attention to residents and to simulate scenarios like shopping with a friend or family member on the outside. The resident mentioned that during her time in a closed facility, going outside in handcuffs and with a prison officer was humiliating and discouraging, but now it isn't. This approach is essential to help residents feel comfortable and confident enough to handle these tasks independently after their release.

Staff emphasised the positive impact of their relaxed relationship with residents to us, highlighting how it fosters a more supportive and understanding environment. Staff members shared that being able to connect with residents on a personal level, by being able to learn their names and stories, marked a significant improvement over their previous roles, where they only knew prisoners by their numbers. They further explained that gaining insight into residents’ personal traits enables them to better identify when someone is having a difficult day or feeling down, allowing them to offer meaningful support.

Residents also expressed that this approach helped them build stronger bonds with staff than in their past experiences in closed prisons. They feel more comfortable approaching and talking with staff, which greatly enhances their sense of safety and community. This relationship dynamic not only improves daily interactions but also creates a more compassionate, effective environment for everyone involved. 

I found the visit profoundly enlightening and compelling. It offered crucial insights into how the prison system can be transformed to better support prisoners and to focus on rehabilitation. The Bella Centre, as the first of its kind in the UK, represents a groundbreaking shift towards rehabilitating female offenders through trauma-informed, gender-specific practices rather than traditional punishment, paving the way for more humane and effective justice in the future.