Correcting the middle ground: Developing an architectural response to encourage the rehabilitation of individuals that have been recently released from prison

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: To what degree can the development of an architectural response encourage the rehabilitation of individuals who have recently been released from prison?

ABSTRACT: Incarceration and architecture are fields that are inherently linked. Architecture provides the physical framework for incarceration to occur. Incarceration as a means of punishment is imbedded in the norms of today’s society, it is likely to be continually used as the most humane form of punishment. The implications of prison are often negative with the punishment going far beyond just a loss of freedom.

Although there are instances of corrective systems in other countries providing premises for positive change during a sentence period, the current state of prisons in New Zealand shows that this is not the case in this country. In the New Zealand context there is minimal implementation of reformatory prison ideas and as a result the nation’s recidivism rate is worryingly high. The high recidivism rate not only reflects poorly on the corrections systems it also causes issues as individuals are likely to be sentenced to prison on multiple occasions, compounding the issue of the current prison population.

Because of the shortfalls of the New Zealand system the period of transition that occurs immediately after a prison sentence has been identified as the best opportunity for intervention. Through the ideas gathered on reformatory prison design and designing for communities a facility can be developed that eases the transition from a harsh, rigid environment into the day to day lifestyle of the general population.

Site:Tram Valley Road, Swanson, Auckland.