Can Recidivism be influenced by architecture?

Abstract

This thesis will focus on an investigation of the question, can recidivism be influenced by architecture? The typology for this examination will be a large 113,460 sq. ft. multi-county correctional facility for convicted criminals, located 7 miles south of Devils Lake, ND, on Highway 57. Theoretical Premise that guides the research is, the ability to influence the rehabilitation of the inmates, a mechanism to change the environment in which prisoners live to lower the level of violence while providing a safe work environment for the law officers that supervise the rehabilitation while inmates are incarcerated. The Project Justification use the built environment to support the psychological and physical needs of the inmates to encourage a lower level of violence and healthy rehabilitation.