OPEN RESEARCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS custody measures or detention have been rising continuously. Reducing the number of persons deprived of liberty is key to guarantee that persons concerned receive therapy as provided for by law as well as to lower the risk of infection and mitigate the negative impact of protective measures during a pandemic. Therefore, there needs to be more research on how admission numbers could be reduced, how the number of releases could be increased and how potential alternatives to the current systems could be realised. The REM system in Italy could serve as a reference point. In this context, the socio-political framework poses additional challenges. Not only is the stigmatization of persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities deprived of liberty twofold, for having committed a crime and for their disability, but their institutionalisation and treatment is often guided by a security approach rather than by a health care perspective.46 Often there are also not enough after-care places available corresponding to the needs of the persons concerned, especially if the persons are additionally in a vulnerable situation, e.g., minors or elderly. This proves to be also challenging if the number of persons deprived of liberty should be reduced, like in the case of a pandemic. In this light, the current pandemic represents a significant challenge in closed institutions. Despite several existing measures to mitigate the negative impact of restrictions, further efforts are necessary to ensure the protection of human dignity during pandemics. Also, behind closed doors. 16