Etablissement du Simplon

Etablissement du Simplon, also referred to as “Simplon 43,” is a detention facility located in Lausanne, the fourth-largest city in Switzerland. It was founded in April 2012. As a public facility, it is under the responsibility of  the State Penitentiary Service (SPEN) of the canton of Vaud, located in the French-speaking region of the country. The primary purpose of the Simplon facility, as assigned by the SPEN, is to carry out custodial sentences through semi-custodial and work-release programs. The facility aims to achieve two specific objectives: firstly, to prevent a complete disconnection from society and maintain professional integration for individuals serving semi-custodial sentences; and secondly, to facilitate the professional reintegration of convicted individuals through work release programs, following the principle of “work outside, free time in custody.”

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SMALL-SCALE

At the time of its opening, Etablissement du Simplon accommodated forty-six male residents in closed, open, or semi-open regimes. The facility now houses a total of forty residents, including six reserved for closed detention under the regime of open normal execution, and the remaining places are used for semi-open and open detention. The distribution of residents is flexible and depends on the current needs of the penitentiary service. Simplon also allows specific individuals to live at home and only report weekly to the facility. In such situations, the facility manages the residents’ finances throughout their sentence. The facility consists of private bedrooms, although a few residents have to share a bedroom. There are shared bathrooms, a shared living room, dining room, a lounge and garden. A sports room and laundry room are offered as well.

SMALL-scale

At the time of its opening, Etablissement du Simplon accommodated forty-six male residents in closed, open, or semi-open regimes. The facility now houses a total of forty residents, including six reserved for closed detention under the regime of open normal execution, and the remaining places are used for semi-open and open detention. The distribution of residents is flexible and depends on the current needs of the penitentiary service. Simplon also allows specific individuals to live at home and only report weekly to the facility. In such situations, the facility manages the residents’ finances throughout their sentence. The facility consists of private bedrooms, although a few residents have to share a bedroom. There are shared bathrooms, a shared living room, dining room, a lounge and garden. A sports room and laundry room are offered as well.

Etablissement du Simplon is a:

Open detention facility, Transition house (during the sentence)

for:

40 PEOPLE,
Mixed-gender

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

Etablissement du Simplon is a:

Open detention facilityTransition house (during the sentence)

for:

40 PEOPLE,
Mixed-gender

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

Etablissement du Simplon is a:

Open detention facilityTransition house (during the sentence)

for:

40 PEOPLE,
Mixed-gender

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

DIFFERENTIATION

Etablissement du Simplon is a mixed-gender facility that primarily accommodates men, although it remains open to women when necessary. A partially designated floor is reserved for women, separated by a door that can be opened or closed depending on the composition of the population. When few women are present, the remaining part of the floor may be used for men or for young adults aged between eighteen and twenty-five, allowing the facility to adjust its space according to current needs.

The facility accommodates four categories of residents, each of whom engages in different activities with varying time commitments based on their category. Residents are responsible for managing their own schedules and making their own appointments. The facility offers only a few activities, as most residents are occupied with work. Those under the ordinary regime are tasked with housework and maintenance chores, while others work outside the facility.

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATION

Etablissement du Simplon is located in the city center of Lausanne, behind the central train station, in a residential area. The primary connection between Simplon and the community is established through the residents themselves, who engage in external work and professional activities outside the facility. These external engagements play a central role in their reintegration process and indirectly contribute to maintaining positive social connections with the broader community. Beyond work, residents also interact with the community in other ways; they are permitted to visit their families, go shopping, or attend medical appointments, allowing them to maintain a certain degree of autonomy and normality in their daily lives.

Differentiation

Etablissement du Simplon is a mixed-gender facility that primarily accommodates men, although it remains open to women when necessary. A partially designated floor is reserved for women, separated by a door that can be opened or closed depending on the composition of the population. When few women are present, the remaining part of the floor may be used for men or for young adults aged between eighteen and twenty-five, allowing the facility to adjust its space according to current needs.

The facility accommodates four categories of residents, each of whom engages in different activities with varying time commitments based on their category. Residents are responsible for managing their own schedules and making their own appointments. The facility offers only a few activities, as most residents are occupied with work. Those under the ordinary regime are tasked with housework and maintenance chores, while others work outside the facility.

Community-integration

Etablissement du Simplon is located in the city center of Lausanne, behind the central train station, in a residential area. The primary connection between Simplon and the community is established through the residents themselves, who engage in external work and professional activities outside the facility. These external engagements play a central role in their reintegration process and indirectly contribute to maintaining positive social connections with the broader community. Beyond work, residents also interact with the community in other ways; they are permitted to visit their families, go shopping, or attend medical appointments, allowing them to maintain a certain degree of autonomy and normality in their daily lives.

the State Penitentiary Service (SPEN) of the canton of Vaud

Etablissement du Simplon

Report Etablissement du Simplon

English report

Visited by RESCALED (06-03-2025)

RESCALED

the State Penitentiary Service (SPEN) of the canton of Vaud

Etablissement du Simplon

Report Etablissement du Simplon

Report

Visit

Visited by RESCALED (06-03-2025)

WISH-EU

the State Penitentiary Service (SPEN) of the canton of Vaud

Etablissement du Simplon

Report Etablissement du Simplon

Report

Visited by RESCALED (06-03-2025)

RESCALED