Prisoner’s health and social needs are extensive and diverse with over “70% of prisoners having two or more mental health conditions” (Mental Health Foundation, 2014). Moreover, in 2014, “82 prisoners took their own lives in prisons” (HOWARD LEAGUE, 2015). This reveals it is essential to create proactive environments for the inmates to help their rehabilitation process.

 

Therefore, “the contemporary institution should focus more on the effect of the environment on the individual, to correspond with our increased knowledge of human psychology” (ACADEMY EDITIONS, 1994, p.15). Psychologically based design such as exposure to natural light and better acoustics can support people mentally to reduce anxiety and nurture positive psychological emotions (DILANI, 2008).

 

Creating a proactive environment as opposed to a reactive environment is an essential factor to foster a positive environment. This can be achieved through the limited use of hard furnishings, fixtures which encourage violence and vandalism. Exposure to natural light, better acoustics and the use of a psychological effective colour palette are known to have positive impacts on the inmates’ emotional health and can reduce tension (ACADEMY EDITIONS, 1994).

 

 

 

 

Day Light, Windows + Lighting

 

 

“Exposure to natural light, based on the planets 24 hour earth cycle, plays an important role in setting and maintaining circadian rhythms- the body’s biological clock” (Wener, 2012, ONLINE). Research shows that this time-setting function can be extremely affected by artificial lights and increased time spent indoors, leading to negative health consequences such as vitamin d defiency (WENER, 2012). Moreover, “lack of access to fresh air and sunlight and long periods of inactivity are likely to lead to physiological effects such as anxiety and depression” (SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, 2015).

 

“There is a great deal of research on daylight’s positive effects on humans’ psychological wellbeing” (DEL NORD, 200, p.72). Windows enable ventilation with a flow of fresh air and natural light into a space as well as providing a visual connection with the outside world and the ability to view seasonal variations. 82% of the inmates at HMP Nottingham agreed that the ability to see outside was an important factor for them. Moreover, in a recent study, workers well-being and attitudes were heightened with direct exposure to natural light and windows (DEL NORD, 2009).

 

This indicates that exposure to natural light and views outside could play an extremely important role for the overall health and well-being of the inmates. If prisoners had more access to natural light, it could have a positive impact on their overall mood and reduce tension while maximising the prisoner’s rehabilitation process.

 

 

 

 

Colour

 

 

“The so called warm colours (red, yellow and orange) are said to have an activating affect while the so called cold colours (blue, purple and green) are said to have a calming affect”(DEL NORD, 2009, p.73). In 1958, physiological brain studies reveal that exposure to the colour red increased the brains activity considerably more than the colour blue.

 

This consequently indicates that the use of cold colours in prison environments could have positive and therapeutic effects on the inmates’ emotional well-being by calming them down. Moreover, the colour pink has been described as ‘physically soothing’; Swiss prisons have been painted pink in the hope to calm down the inmates (TELEGRAPH, 2013). Currently no evidence has been produced to confirm the success of this, however, colour therapists state that violent and aggressive behaviour can be reduced when cells are painted pink (RAZA, 2014).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sound

 

 

“Studies have shown that noise can lead to physiological, psychological and social health problems” (DEL NORD, 2009, p.73).  Loud noises have the ability to cause stress, irritation and mental exhaustion which will negatively impact the healing process of the individual. There are also studies which have found a link between noisy environments and a decreased perception in life quality (DEL NORD, 2009). “Noise is one of the prison environments most persistent problems” (FAIRWEATHER, 2000, p.10). This suggests that exposure to loud noises is likely to have a negative impact on the inmates psychological health. Therefore, the use of acoustic materials to lower sound levels could support the inmates’ rehabilitation.

 

 

 

 

Visual Stimulation

 

 

“Many people have been long convinced that contact with nature is critical to human physical and mental health” (WENER, 2012). This is because natural views have a tendency to produce positive feelings as well as decreasing anxiety and stress (EDWARDS, 2002).

 

Therefore, if visual imagery such as sunset views were placed in internal spaces it could consequently provoke feelings of contentment. This can be shown by the questionnaire results; 51% of the inmates at HMP Nottingham agreed that they would benefit from having sensory mood lighting in their cells. “Pink light has a tranquilizing and calming effect within minutes of exposure” (RAZA, 2014).  The exposure to pink sensory lighting could consequently help reduce stress and tension having a positive impact on the inmates’ well-being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over recent decades with psychological development, it is recognised that to help aid rehabilitation and reintegration there is an increasing need to embrace the wellbeing of the prisoner. Evidence suggests that if an atmosphere of relative calm can be created in a number of manners including natural light and colour, it can have a positive impact on prisoner behaviour and subsequent well-being.