The many challenges of housing former convicts

When Gilbert Turci and Marc De Bastos joined the Comité national de défense sociale (CNDS) in February 2023, they knew from the outset that success would be the exception. Setbacks the rule. The former led the search for a new challenge to the CNDS. And Marc De Bastos was immediately enthusiastic when he heard about the project.

The two social workers are implementing the transition programme initiated by the previous government (see info box) – or at least trying to. Their task is to support prisoners in developing a housing perspective in preparation for their release. But for Gilbert Turci, there is no doubt: "The project is absolutely not realisable the way it was written." Neither in terms of the various stages – from emergency accommodation to temporary accommodation to a permanent home – nor in terms of the associated deadlines.

People in prison can apply via the Service psycho-socio-éducatif (SPSE) of the Prison Service or the Central Social Welfare Office (Scas) of the Public Prosecutor's Office. "We then make contact, […] arrange an initial appointment together with the prisoner and the SPSE or Scas, " explains Gilbert Turci. This runs smoothly in the Centre pénitentiaire de Luxembourg (CPL) and Centre pénitentiaire de Givenich. To gain access to the remand prison, however, they have to apply for a visiting permit from the examining magistrate or the public prosecutor's office, just like all other visitors. "It's getting better, but it can take anywhere from a week to a month or two. It really depends, " adds De Bastos.