Designing for Humanity: How Can the Architecture of Correctional Centers Improve the Lives of Inmates?

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to look at the architectural characteristics of successful correctional centers and deduce what specific aspects make them so successful. America is known world-wide for its correctional system and the harsh punishments assigned to those who come in contact with it. Many citizens of the United States believe that harsh punishment is a good thing, they believe that with harsher punishment comes reform. Select individuals believe the opposite is true; they believe that harsh punishment harms individuals and in turn increases the percent of recidivism. Research done by the National Institute of Justice supports this belief and shows that long prison sentences do very little to prevent future crime.