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Introduction

 

 

English prisons have a poor record for reducing reoffending; "46% of adults are reconvicted within one year of release"

(PRISON REFORM TRUST, 2014). This proves that prisons today are not successfully rehabilitating the inmates and transformation needs to happen.

 

The mystifying nature of life behind bars has always been a topic that intrigues me. I will therefore use this investigation to develop an understanding of how prison design can aid the wellbeing, rehabilitation process and the reintegration of prisoners into society and question if prison systems are successfully achieving this today.

Figure 2 - Prison Wing Interior

 

 

 

Aims

 

- Research how historical prison design has influenced today's prisons.

 

- Develop an understanding of the need to balance rehabilitation with punishment in prisons.

 

- Understand the psychological importance of prison design and the impact it can have on the wellbeing and rehabilitation process of the inmates.

 

 

Objectives

 

- Consider how potential future prison designs may contribute to inmate rehabilitation and wellbeing.

 

- Investigate whether prison designs are successfully rehabilitating individuals and find out the impact they have on the wellbeing of inmates.

 

 

Methods - Primary Research

 

Carrying out first hand observations in HMP Nottingham was an invaluable experience to perceive what prison life is like for the inmates and how the design affects their experience in prison. Questionnaires have been distributed to prison staff and prisoners which has provided extremely insightful information for my research. Interviews with an inmate, prison staff and prisoner related designers were also carried out.

 

 

Methods - Secondary Research

 

In order to understand the context of prisons and what is happening currently, extensive secondary research in books, journals and websites has been carried out. This has supported the investigation enormously and enabled me to have a greater understanding of the importance of designing prisons with the purpose to rehabilitate.

 

 

Limitations

 

A limitation of the study was that I was only able to physically visit and experience one prison, HMP Nottingham. This was due to the high security nature of prisons and their geographical locations. It prevented the direct comparison of two or more of the establishments resulting in the need to use secondary sources as opposed to first-hand experience and observation. However, using an extensive array of secondary sources, I was able to gain an overview of the current Prison situation in the UK and some overseas prisons.

 

A further limitation is that rehabilitation statistics take a considerable time to be collected and analysed due to the nature of the topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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