Resources
Selected resources relating to alternatives to detention from the European ATD Network and external sources.
Network resources
Find here our videos reports papers handbooks
Pathways to Change: A review of the European Alternatives to Detention Network’s advocacy and influencing work in Europe, 2017-2023
This report assesses the European Alternatives to Detention Network (EATDN) progress from 2017-2023, highlighting its influence on policy changes related to immigration detention and migration governance. It also identifies remaining challenges and outlines strategies for future advocacy, aiming to guide efforts in promoting community-based alternatives and systemic change.
From enforcement to engagement: Scaling up case management-based ATD in Europe
This two-year scaling plan outlines how the European ATD Network will advance case management as an Alternative to Detention in Europe, putting advocacy, networks and the expertise of people with lived experience at the forefront.
The plan outlines how, by broadening and deepening our work, we are creating sustainable change now and into the future (European ATD Network, October 2021).
Evaluation Report – Alternatives to detention: building a culture of cooperation
Evaluation of two-year engagement-based alternative to immigration detention pilot projects in Bulgaria, Cyprus and Poland (Eiri Ohtani, July 2020)
Case management: learning, tips, and positive practices
Outcomes of peer exchange workshop for NGOs implementing alternative to detention pilot projects as a strategy for change to reduce immigration detention.
Network Flyer
Two-pager document introducing the European ATD Network.
Theory of Change
Building evidence and momentum on engagement-based alternatives to detention, to reduce immigration detention at the national and regional levels in Europe.
Case Management Infographic
In this infographic PICUM outlines the steps and benefits of case management based ATDs. The infographic will also be featured in a written piece on implementing case management-based alternatives to detention in Europe that is currently being drafted by PICUM (2019).
Video on Case Management
In this video, three case managers of the European ATD Network share their insights into their empowering work with clients, the inter-personal aspect, successes and challenges of case management. (European ATD Network, April 2019)
Interim Evaluation Report and Briefing Paper
The one-year interim evaluation report and its briefing paper share findings related to the effectiveness of case management within the engagement-based ATD pilots. (EPIM, 2018)
NGO Info Sheet
NGO info sheet: alternatives to detention as a strategy for reducing immigration detention in Europe (European ATD Network, 2018)
Member publications
Plan Together: Case Management As An Alternative to Immigration Detention
JRS Belgium’s briefing paper ‘Plan Together: Case Management As An Alternative to Immigration Detention’ (2023) summarises JRS Belgium’s preliminary learnings from the Plan Together pilot project so far, with a focus on qualitative data on the families’ responses to case management.
Without Detention
Detention Action’s report ‘Without Detention: Opportunities for alternatives’ (2016) outlines how international and UK good practices could be built on to develop a systematic approach to migration governance that avoids the use of detention wherever possible, prioritising meaningful engagement with migrants over harmful and costly enforcement.
There Are Alternatives
A handbook for preventing unnecessary immigration detention (revised edition) (IDC, 2015).
Gaining Ground
Gaining Ground: Promising Practice to Reduce and End Immigration Detention (IDC, 2022).
Towards freedom: Piloting alternative measures to detention to support migrant men and women
Towards freedom: Piloting alternative measures to detention to support migrant men and women (SIP, 2021).
Case Management as a pathway to the regularisation of migrants
Case Management as a pathway to the regularisation of migrants: Preventing the risk of administrative detention and proposing alternatives to an inhumane system (CILD, Progetto Diritti & Otto per Mille Valdese, 2022).
The Work of HumanRights360 Social Integration Service
The Work of HumanRights360 Social Integration Service: Tackling the chain barriers to integration & registering the “undocumented” persons (HumanRights360).
External resources
Council of Europe
- This ground-breaking Council of Europe Analysis of alternatives to detention in the contex of migration (2018) was adopted by all Member States of the CoE through its foremost human rights body, the Steering Committee on Human Rights, and was noted by the Council of Ministers. It looks at legal and practical aspects relating to alternatives and sets out elements for their effectiveness (page 57), supporting an approach based on engagement rather than enforcement. More info here.
European Commission
- The European Commission’s revised Return Handbook (2017) considers some risks and benefits of alternatives to immigration detention. It recognises that “early intervention and holistic case management focused on case resolution” has been proven to be successful as an alternative to detention. It recommends States aim at: “A systematic horizontal coaching of all potential returnees, covering advice on possibilities for legal stay/asylum as well as on voluntary/enforced return from an early stage (and not only once forced removal decisions are taken).”
World Health Organisation
- The migration and health programme of WHO/Europe has developed an implementation guide entitled ‘Addressing the health challenges in immigration detention, and alternatives to detention’ (2022). The guide outlines the severe and long-lasting impact that immigration detention can have on migrants’ health, especially mental health, during and after release from detention. The report advocates for the use of ATD, and particularly case management-based approaches, as a way of protecting the health of refugees and migrants.
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European Alternatives To Detention Network – Designed by Lide
The European ATD Network has been supported by the European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM), a collaborative initiative of the Network of European Foundations
