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Modular Prison

Article · June 2016

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Frieda Hackler
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MODULAR CELL
R E D U C I N G R E C I D I V I S M R AT E S T H R O U G H D E S I G N

FRIEDA HACKLER

1
SWINBURNE UNIVERSIT Y- MASTER OF DESIGN

METHODS FOR RESEARCH 2016

F R I E D E R I K A H E L E N A P. B . H A C K L E R

2
CONTENTS

Research Question 4

Abstract 5

Prison in numbers 6

History of Prison Design 8

Psychology of Prison Space 10

Research 12

Case Studies 12

HMP Wandsworth, UK 14

Halden Prison, Norway 16

Personas 20

Journey Maps 24

Limitations & Conclusions 27

Design Concept 30

Bibliography 38

3
Research Question
Can Architecture help
to reduce prison
recidivism rates?

4
Abstract
Current correctional facilities are a failed
system, as suggested by sharply increasing
recidivism rates among prison populations.
These facilities are a necessary social evil
required to maintain public order and safety.
This research report explores the role of space
design in improving prisoner’s rehabilitation.
Through the analysis of 1) two penal systems,
one of the lowest and one of the highest
recidivism rates internationally, 2) data from
prisoner’s blogs and 3) prison documentaries,
the report concludes that most correctional
facilities have barely evolved since late 18th
century prison reforms. The Victorian model,
where design focused on surveillance and
punishment, spread from Europe to Latin
America to remain largely unchanged today. My
1 research explores the application of modernist
architectural principles of flexibility and
modularity to prison design.

5
Prison in numbers
Analysis of two countries
with one of the highest
and one of the lowest
rates on world.

Harmful data from World Prison

Brief provided by the Institute for
Criminal Policy Research is uptaded
every year. In 2015 more than 10.35
million people was in prison – and this
number exclude prisoners held in some
jurisdictions that are not recognised
and also those held in police facilities.
The growth of prisoners population rate,
from 2000 to 2015, was approximately
20% - slightly higher rates than
the growth of the world’s general
population.

6

Prisons are supposed to correct individuals
before return them to the society.
However the high reimprisonment rates show
that individuals are not rehabilitating from
their crimes, i.e, prisons are not serving its
main purpose.
Recidivism rates reach between 70% to 85% in
less developed countries, e.g. Brazil (National
Penitentiary Department from Brazil — DEPEN,
2015). That scenario is not that different in 1st
world countries, e.g, the UK, where recidivism
rates are around 40 and 60% (FAZEL, Seena.
WOLF, Achim, 2015). That number variation
between 1st and 3rd world countries is directly
related to poverty and super-population. When
comparing most 1st world countries, although
the rates are not different from these.
Surprisingly, there is a point outside of the
curve: Norway with recidivism around 20% and
Graph 2: Population Rate Trends
(number of prisoners/100000 people)
250
200
150
100
50
0
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
7
Graph 1: Recidivism Rates in 2015 (%)
60
UK
50
Norway
40
30
20
10
0
a prison system completely different from the
stereotypical known (graph 1).
Since the UK population is more numerous
than Norwegian, the prison population
numbers are not worthy to be analysed. Also,
continuous growth is inherent to populations,
i.e., the prison population will inevitably grow.
The key point in that growth is how fast it is.
Comparing UK and Norway growth curve in the
graph 2 it is possible to notice how recidivism
can impact on prison population. UK growth is
sharper than Norwegian growth.
UK
Norway
2012 2015
History of Prison Design
The prisons have a long history of
nonhumanitarian practices and painfull
punishments. In the Ancient Times, nations
does not believe in the correction of individuals,
so the punishments were harsh and
irreversibles: tortures, executions, and exiles
for prison-islands. At that times, prisoners do
not have individual cells, they were kept in
basement rooms from court buildings,
humid, without ventilation, exposed to all types
of filth and bugs.
The first correction house was the Bridewell
House of Corrections in London, only for
women and children, was originally the
king’s castle made into a prison during the
16th Century. Other correction houses came
during this century, for minor offenders,
homeless and undisciplined local poor. That
was a mark in history, but it happened as
a solution for all the chaos of poverty and
underworld of those times.
It was just during finals of the 18th Century that
philosophers and jurists started to
write defending humanitarian practices on
prisons. The most important reformers of
this movement were: Jeremy Bentham, Cesare
Beccaria, and John Howard. Each
one defends different types of isolation and
labour inside prisons, whether a prisoner
should talk among them or not. But when the
subject is prison design the first idea came
from Jeremy Bentham: the Panopticon. The
Panopticon is a surveillance system based on a
central tower with all the cells around it. All the
prisoners should feel watched even if the
guard inside of the surveillance tower was not
looking to them. That prison design was used in
8
several institutions (in hospitals, schools, and
asylums) but because the central point was
also a fragile point inside the prison there
were critiques around it.
With the prison reform, other variations of the
Panopticon were created. The model largely
used was the Radial Prison. In this model,
the cells are disposed in long galleries (called
wings), radiating from a central point. The chief
warden stayed in this spot watching secondary
wardens responsible for each gallery. After
the first radial prison in London, Pentonville,
dozens of other similar was built during the
Victorian Britain phase. This is still a current
model in several countries, e.g., Her Majesty’s
Prison (HMP) in London, which is the first case
study for this research.
After the 18th Century models, there are
variations of this harsh environment where
surveillance is the most important aspect.
The called Experimental Models from the
last 10 years are the opposite from this
Panopticon stereotype. This means that
evolution is already recognised as a necessity.
The change is happening, but in a moderate,
shy way, facing critiques and resistance. The
first high-security modern prison was built in
2010, in Norway: Halden Prison, which is the
second case study in this research.
No rehabilitation focus in the deten-
tion houses. It existed only for
The first correction house that was known,
defendants contention until their
only for women and children: Bridewell,
trial or execution.
Londres. Was not designed as a prison, but
adjust to this function.
Originally it was the king’s house. After
Bridewell there was other institutions
1552 following this model.

18th Century

Philosophers, moralists and jurists, start to

write massively against physical punishment
and executions, defending principles as free-
dom and dignity. The most important reformers
was: Beccaria, Howard and Bentham.

1776 Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon

Gave the inmates the impression they were

being watched at all times
Radial Prison

The first radial prison known was

Pentonville, London, 1842. Revolutionary
design concept. The prisoners would be held in
cells in long galleries, radiating from a central
point. After Pentonville there the application of
this model was all over the UK and other parts
of the globe. The same prisons are still active
today, with some evolutions regarding the daily
practices (isolations and confinements and
forced labour was banished).
Modern Prisons

Experimental concepts is being tested,

specially in Norway. Prisons with green spaces,
common areas and modern design.

9
Psychology Effects of
Prison Environment
The space effects on people’s behaviour
is widely researched. That phenomenom
can be called as behaviourism or
architectural determinism.

These effects is proved through empirical

observation of humans. Even experiments with
animals was conducted in the past to prove it.

The learning evolution in schools is altered

according to different environments, the
anxiety level in cancer patients can be
different according to the environment as
well. Antagonically, prison environment affect
behaviour of both prisoners and guards.

“There is no doubt whatever about the

influence of architecture and structure
upon human character and action. We
make our buildings and afterwards they
make us. They regulate the course of
our lives.” (Winston Churchill)

10
The BBC Prison Study
This data was extracted from an experimental
research where participants volunteered to
enter in an artificial prison environment. The
primary goal of this study was to analyse
the effects of an unequal and authoritarian
environment on people. There is an amount
of quantitative data depicting the behaviour
alteration of guards and prisoners in a time
interval time of days.
Based on questionnaires the prisoners
and guards have the emotion levels measured
and it is possible to extract conclusions
from these results.
Although there was limitations in this research
- as it is possible that the participant’s behavior
Graph 3: Social Identification
2,5
2,0
1,5
1,0
0,5
0,0
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7
11
is affected by the knowledge that they will be
broadcasted - the fact that the environment
strongly affects the interactions and behaviours
of prisoners and guards is clear.
The social identification graph, for instance,
shows that prisoners increasingly identifies
with the environment, while with the guards the
opposite happens. On the other hand prisoner’s
stress remains the same, while guards have
higher stress levels at the end of 6 days. This
suggest a highly tense environment.
The unequal control relation loaded with
tension is a highly negative aspect for the
prisoner colaborative learning.
Graph 4: Stress
3,5 GUARDS
3,0 PRISONER
2,5
2,0
1,5
1,0
0,5
0,0
DAY 2 DAY 6
Research

““Prisons are a reflection of society,

a mirror of what is happening in a
country, from small dramas to the
great social and economic crises […]”
(Bispuri, 2014)
12
Data collection and analysis Secondly, a cross of articles, blogs and
documentaries, was used to understand the
Firstly, the data collected and analysed consists different aspects of prisoners routines on
in two cases studies: a famous Norwegian the retributive model (Norway model) and
prison, Halden Prison, and the biggest and the routine of prisoners of the restorative
most traditional prison in UK, Her Majesty’s model1 (UK model). This data is synthesised in
Prison Wandsworth (HMP Wandsworth). different personas and journey maps.
Norwegian prisons have one of the lowest re-
imprisonment rates (World Prison Brief, 2016), Focus group
and has the most humane systems in the world
The focus is upon high-security prisons due to
(Business Insider, Australia, 2014. Briefing:
two main reasons:
An US Warden Visited a Norwegian Prison
-- And He Couldn’t Believe What He Saw.). On • This is the first stage of the prisoner’s
the other hand, the UK system that follows treatment, in order to increase future
the prison model from the late 18th century rehabilitation chances.
– without being reviewed since then presents
one of the higher re-imprisonment statistics • High-security prisons are the ones with
(World Prison Brief, 2016). I have suspected the harsher environment, and where the
that there should be relation between the safety is always a priority, compromising the
recidivism rates and the prison systems in design.
these two countries. As part of the analysis
on the differences between the environment
of both prisons, images from the spaces and
stories from prisoners and staff, was visualized
in a series of diagrams. The purpose of this
map was to acknowledge the different designs
in a systematic way.

1 In Norway penitentiary system relies

on the restorative concept, that means that the
person who caused the damage to the society
is repaired, instead of punished. In most of the
countries (e.g. UK, Australia, US, etc.) the system
makes the offenders go through the same pain he
caused while their sentence, that is the retributive
model. (Business Insider, Australia, 2014, Briefing:
Why Norway’s Prison System Is So Successful.)
13
Case Studies
Even though there are other possible aspects
contributing to the success of the Norwegian
incarceration model, the case studies illustrate
effectively the environment role on prisoner’s
rehabilitation process.
Criminal research has made advances in
rehabilitation programs and discoveries about
what is effective to diminish re-offending rates
among prisoners, however, social programs are
mainly the focus while infrastructure has a little
attention.
There is studies suggesting that the
rehabilitation programs are proved to
work efficiently in a healthy and common
environment (Harding, 2000).
Halden Prison, in Norway, took those aspects
to a higher level than only social programs. On
the other hand, the HMP Wandsworth use this
social programs around the periphery of the
main program that runs within the punishment
of the retributive model.
But only after compare the cases studies from
Norway and UK, it was possible to relate the
higher reimprisonment rates with the Victorian
prisons from 200 years ago.

14
14
 “Think of a prison and you probably
think of a Victorian prison, brooding
Gothic gatehouse in dirty stone with a
door-within-a-door opening to spit out
furtive convicts.” (BBC News Magazine,
2007)

15
HMP Wandsworth, UK
Overall data:

Capacity of 1.284 inmates, although held around 1.658 inmates in 2013 and 2158 in 2015;
Occupancy level at almost 70% than its certified normal accommodation of 973;
Cell Occupancy: Single and double (but normally one cell have more than 2 inmates)
Helds Category B (High security), with a Category C (Medium Security)
Prison population profile have different need according to the category, and the focus group is high
secutiry prisoners;

Overall prisoner’s profile:

• Around 700 inmates are foreign nationals (around 100 of them could not speak English)
• Mostly prisoners are transferred from other prisons
• Around 300 have mental issues
• Around 500 have drug addiction background
• 1/3 reported housing problems
• 1/4 reported money worries
• 1/5 reported depression or suicide feelings
• 12 prisoners died from 2013 to 2015 (5 were self-inflicted, 1 was homicide).

“Jason Warr keeps shunted from prisons in his

12 years of incarceration. The British prisons
was pointed as particularly harder. Heating and
pumbling were erratic, insect and vermin were
common. “After years soaked in filth, blood and
fear the prison stank”.
The large, oppressive prisons built in Britain
in the 19th century have long been thought
inadequate. Cells are stacked in rows either
side of a narrow central atrium—inevitably
now covered with netting to prevent prisoners
flinging themselves or others to their deaths.”
(The Economist, 2014.)
4

16
 “You get a sense of a prison
immediatly (...) You don’t get that
in prisons that are modular.” (BBC,
2007)

Radial Floor Plan.

6
Constant surveillance model based on the
Panopticon from Jeremy Bentham ( 18th Cells.
century). Long crowded galleries (called “wings”)
this floor plan represents a stereotypical prison, Overcrowded cells. No window views. Poor
where guide lines are: safety, opression and ventilation and lightning.
isolation.

7 8

Outdoor Spaces. Cell Galleries.

Enclosed courtyards with walls surrounding Long galleries. No privacy for the cells interiors.
the space. Concrete floor. No contact with the Little contact between prisoner x staff. Little
outside world. natural light and air circulation.

17
9

Halden Prison, Norway

High Security Prison
252 Inmates in 2014
Considered the most humane prison (ArchDaily, 2011)
‘A central tenet of the design brief was the rehabilitation of prisoners in order to decrease
recidivism, and this is reflected in the plan, interior design, and external landscaping.”
(Design and Violence, 2014)
Recidivism rates around 20% (Design and Violence, 2014)
“For some context, Norway has an incarceration rate of 70 per 100,000, totaling 3, 571 inmates for
the entire country. The U.S. rate is more than 100 times Norway’s — 707 per 100,000, which puts
2,228,424 people currently behind bars.” (Business Insider Australia, 2014)

“An iron hand, a silk glove.” (Slogan

under which Halden Prison was
built in 2010)
10

18
18
11 12

Free Floor Plan. Cells.

No predefined model. Depends on the site and
briefing. Each building has its identity (different
material and forms). Courtyards opened to
the outside space. A modern plan without
interference of the reform from the 18th
century and the famous Panopticon model.
Long vertical windows. Privacy. Long vertical
windows with views to the outside world.
Natural lighting and ventilation. Bright, simple
and modern furniture. Safety glass instead of
bars.

13 14

Outdoor Spaces. Galleries.

Located in a forested area. Green spaces, trees Less cells in each gallerie. Clean and bright
and landscape features are everywhere. materials. Larger gallery width. Friendly
environment.

19
Personas
There are three different personas based on
the most common prisoner profiles found at
Her Majesty’s Prisons in the UK:
• Richard, a sick and old prisoner in HMP
Wandsworth for almost half of his life;
• Crystal, an institutionalised women who
rather stay inside a victorian jale because
she do not know better life outside;
time in Norway:
• Koamal, a dangerous criminal inside
Halden prison.
All the personas are based on real history.
The goal is to show how different prisoners
feel about their sentence and on different
environments.

• Craig, a man who returns to prison

because of the drug addiction - the most
common type of prisoner.

For the Halden Prison there is just one persona,

convicted for 21 years, which is the maximum

“Having 62 years and in prison is

hard, because of the reflection of
losing 27 years in prison.” - Richard
“In prison I have a structure, friends
(…) In prison I can be clean and
healthy” - Crystal

“I am just tired, I just want this to

be my last time in here.”- Craig
““Everyone is leaving prison one
day, and I feel that I have a life afte-
rward.”” - Koamal

20
20
Richard, 62 years. Prisoner from HMP Wandsworth for 27 years.

daily. As he is older in prison he has certain

privileges, as two mattresses and be the first in
line when the meals are served. However, as he
is in prison there are rules, and at 62 some of
them are not easy to follow, e.g. getting down
on the floor when the alarm sounds.
His biggest fear about growing old in prison is
that he went to all kind of trouble to become
a different person and change, and now he
can’t give anything back, so there was no point
in becoming a better person besides personal
satisfaction.

15

Emotion Levels

FRUSTRATION

Richard Lorenzano represents the fastest HOPE

growing sector of the inmate population. He ANGER
is one of the most expensive prisoners: with
cancer, being treated in hospitals outside FEAR
the prison. Each time he leaves the prison OPTIMISM
for treatments there is 2 guards, 24 hours,
BOREDOM
surveilling the prisoner – because he is a 50
year to lifetime sentence prisoner.
At this point, he could not build a family, and Environments that makes him remember he is
he doesn’t have a retirement plan, as the a convicted
prison jobs do not give these rights - though the WORK
program has as one of the obligations to work
CELL

COURTYARD

DINING HALL

CORRIDORS

21
Crystal , 32 years, 15 years coming and going from correctional
facilities.
have to worry about what to eat or where to
sleep.
She was paroled but she asked to her family
to take her to a rehabilitation clinic where she
can be safe and away from drugs. She is in
treatment for 6 months now.
What she learned inside the rehabilitation clinic
is that she do not need the sick environment
from the prison to keep clean. The only thing
she can remember in a positive way from her
time behind bars is Mrs. Kelly, one of the prison
16
guards that treated her nicelly and in a humane
manner. She decided to write to Mrs. Kelly
giving news about her life outside HMP.

Emotion Levels

FRUSTRATION

HOPE
Crystal battles against drink and drugs since
ANGER
she was 17. Her life in freedom is harder than
life in prison so she rather stay behind bars. FEAR
Usually people are excited about paroles,
OPTIMISM
but she is afraid to go to the outside world,
because she have higher chances to go back BOREDOM
to the streets. If she could have a good life
outside she will want to be free. Environments that makes her remember she is
a convicted
Inside the prison, Crystal has completed a lot
of programs and got certificates - prison gives WORK
certificates to prisoners with drug addiction
for the time clean, following the NA (Narcotics CELL
Anonyms) program.
COURTYARD
Prison is like her comfort zone, because she
does not like to deal with surprises as she DINING HALL
has to do in real life, she knows exactly what
to expect from her days. Inside jail she do not CORRIDORS

22
Craig , 28 years, 8 years coming and going from HMP Wandsworth
prison.
Although the noise and the continuing banging
doors from the galleries makes him more
nervous while he is inside the cell, he is trying
to keep the calm. However, he smokes each
time more.
The violent environment keeps him alert, and in
bad days the prison makes him feel like he was
an animal.

17

Emotion Levels
FRUSTRATION

HOPE

Craig lost 8 years in prison, is back in jale for ANGER

the 7th time with a long history of assault and FEAR
offending, and was just paroled. One of these
times he woke up from a drug coma and in OPTIMISM
custody.
BOREDOM
When he first came to prison, he was homeless
and has drug problems. He needs daily doses
Environments that makes him remember he is
of methadone which is a heroin substitute.
a convicted
This time he was living with his father for WORK
2 days but went back to the streets and to
the crack. Once again crack and heroin have CELL
proved to be too bigger than him. He is begging
money in streets, just a block away from his COURTYARD
mother’s house. Her father keeps expecting a
phone call of someone asking him to identify DINING HALL
his son. He was is in streets for 6 months, until
he went back to jail for an assault. CORRIDORS

23
Koamal, 36 years, 3 years inside Halden Prison.

He has rights and privacy, but he also has to

follow rules. The nature and the outside space
give him peace of mind, and make him feel
optimistic.
When he remembers about his past life he still
feel guilty, sometimes is hard to accept that it
was him to make all that and is even harder
to accept that he will not have this time back.
The psychologist is helping him to deal with this
emotions in a different way.

18

Emotion Levels
FRUSTRATION

HOPE

ANGER
Koamal have a sentence of 21 years, the
maximum sentence in Norway. He was a re- FEAR
offender in other prisons, for little crimes,
OPTIMISM
but this time he feels lucky because when he
was almost giving up of a straight life he was BOREDOM
sentenced and came to Halden.
For the first time he feels hope and have plans
Environments that makes him remember he is
for free life. Inside Halden Prison he learned to
a convicted
plays guitar, he works and learn everyday, and
at the end of the day he feels that tomorrow he WORK
wants to maintain the same routine.
CELL
Inside this prison he learned to have a
community life, and to trust in others. He COURTYARD
learned that he can uses everything for good
and for bad purposes, and that is exactly why DINING HALL
he needs to control his impulses.
CORRIDORS

24
19

25
Journey Maps
The Journey Map illustrates a regular day inside
the prison from the prisoner perspective.
There was numerous and detailed information
from HMP Wandsworth and other prisons in the
UK to create the map.
However, find consistent data of Halden
Prison’s routine (or other prisons from the
restorative model) was not easy. Probably
because experimental prisons are more recent.
Nevertheless, the analysis of the HMP hourney
map will be much more effective to this report
purpose (because it points to the prison
issues), than Halden Prison, that have a healthy
environment.

“I think if I wasn’t seating in the cell

it might taste good. All the possible
smell the feel is the toilet already used
for several times inside this isolated
unit. It is possible to hear neighbour’s
movement: someone walking, or doing
something against the next wall.”
(A Day in Jail, Lindsey Mastis, 2008)

26
Journey Map - HMP Wandsworth

7am: Time to eat breakfast (usually corn-

flakes and toast, if you are lucky there will
6am: Time be some jam). There is a limited time to go
to woke up. to the breakfast or if the prisoner is late,
Prisoners who he will miss the opportunity. While waiting
practice exercises in the line it is possible to read a sign:
can go to the gym “Food may have traces of genetically mo-
and have a quick dified organisms”. That is a highly stres-
shower. sful situation in prison, as the prisoners
are all reunited in the dining room. Takes
30-45 minutes to get the tray and eat.
8am: Time to go to work. Each prisoner is responsible for his owns
The prisoner has to be bowl and spoon (there is no fork or knife),
ready at that time, othe- and have to wash it later.
rwise, he will miss the
chance to go to work and
just remain inside the
cell. The process is the
same every day: walk in a
line, following a busy path
and fights eventually can 12pm: Time to
happen there. 11am: Return to lunch. It is good
the unit to wait for to socialise during
the lunch inside the meals, or other
cell. prisoners start
to think that the
quiet inmate has
something to hide
5-6pm: Free from them. There
time to go to a 1pm: Time is a menu with a
poetry class, to go back few options. Food
library, gym. 4pm: Back to work.
to the unit, has a poor quality,
starving. and the quantity
is not enough.
Finished the lunch
6pm: Back to the cells to wait for the prisoner go
the next day for long 12 hours. back to the cell.
“The tiny cell has the single bed
on top of a concrete basis, which
turns into a bed side table. The
entire room is white brick walls,
with a sink attached to the toilet
and a mirror (all of the items in
stainless steel). The stainless There are no windows in the cell, and the only
steel mirror is scratched, so it is artwork are the ones made by the prisoners (day
not possible to use it. The only counting sticks, religious thoughs or promises –
thing to do for hours is read the everything marked in the door painting.”
disciplinarian regulation book. (A Day in Jail, Lindsey Mastis, 2008)

27
20

28
Limitations

The inability to conduct interviews with with the most negative effects for two reasons:
prisoners might compromise the results
• is where prisoner spends more time - 12
of the research at some stage, due to the
hours per day;
likelihood that the data extracted from blogs,
documentaries, and reports, may not capture • is a nonhuman and sick environment.
the real prisoner’s voice; i.e. the research
question is unlikely to be taken much further The final conclusion confirms the suspicion
by examination of blogs and documentaries around the effects of prison environment on
source material. the recidivism rates, as the rates are lower in
Halden Prison well-designed scenario. This
Interviews about the prison environment, means that focus of the prison’s design must
conducted directly to prisoners and guards can go beyond the prisoner isolation from society
be decisive to the design concept. and security issues.
Based on these findings, the research results
definitely points to a re-design of the following
Conclusion
aspects:
The personas results from HMP Wandsworth
• cell units;
shows high levels of frustration and boredom,
low levels of optimism and hope. This means • floor plan solution (there is no point in re-
that the prisoner does not trust in their future design the interiors of one cell unit if there
inside this environment, consequently, they is no possibility to open windows to outside
tend to have a defeatist posture, and to views);
surrender to crime life. On the other hand, the
prisoner from Halden Prison have some levels • galleries;
of anger, but he has an optimistic view of his • create common spaces.
future.
On the HMP the environments where they
remember the most being a prisoner are: 1)
cells and corridors; 2) courtyard. On the Halden
Prison, although the cells seem to have a less
negative effect, the two places with the worst
environment are the same: cells and corridors.
The outdoor spaces are the exception: Halden
prisoners like the space, while HMP prisoners
dislike the courtyard.
The Journey Map unveiled some problematic
spots. The cells seems to be the environment

29
Design Concept

30
Introduction

As an architect, I wish to improve the prisoner, Practical concerns as functionality, ideal

staff and society experience designing a materials, budget and size of the modular
possible solution. cell for easy transportation, was also aspects
considered during the design process.
The prisoners spend 12 hours per day
inside cells in high-security prisons, totally The smaller the difference between inside and
disconnected and segregated from the outside life, the better.
outside world. The goal is to create a modular
and flexible cell, assembled quickly on site.
Therefore , prison capacity could increase
overnight, according to the necessity. Together
with the cell design it is needed an idea of an
adequate floor plan.
The interaction with the cells, in this floor
plan, to the outside world must exist, at the
same time establishing a private space for the
inmate.

Pavilion concept
-Linear floor plan making
possible attachement of new
modular cells.
-Less prisoners for each
pavilion, allowing more
individualised treatment.

Courtyard

-Courtyards opened to the outside

world, diminishing the confinement
sensation.
- Flexible floor plan + Modular cells.

31
Floor Plan

32
The main aspects: In order to:

The outside walls are made of Easy and fast production.

reinforced pre-fabricated concrete.
Safe material, indicated for prison cells.

Dismiss steel bars need.

Safety glass in windows and skylight.
Natural lighting and connection with the
oustide world.

The cell dimensions is precisely

dimensions of regular ship containers Can be transportated by trucks or ships
(5,90x2,34m). all ready to the site.

Inside walls are made of common Helps to diminish the weight of the cell.
masonry.

Windows dimensions allows

interaction with the environment.
Windows and doors dimensions.
Doors with 90cm width allowing
disabled person to use the cell.

Mirrored cells.
Easier installation shared
between bathrooms common walls.

33
Section

34
The main aspects: In order to:

Minimum ceiling height of 4 meters. Makes the space wider and lighter.

Wood is a natural material that can be

Timber desk and robes. reused wich reacts

Closed bathroom with separated sink, Privacy and hierarchy of spaces with
toilet and shower. different functions.

Natural glazed concrete on the walls. Modernity and versatility. It is also an

easy and non expensive sollution.

35
Singular Cell

36
The main aspects: In order to:

Another possiblity to allow for

Skylight along the room area. natural light and to connects the
prisoner with the outside.

Temperature control.
Double safety glass.
Allow safety and outside views.

Natural concrete on the outside. Tren on the modern architecture.

Easy maintenance.
Non expensive.

37
Cells organised in Pavilions

The site should have an adequate

surroundings for the window views.

A secondary courtyard to where the door opens creating a

common social area. The corridors are eliminated creating
this common space.

38
 Division in pavillions allowing an
individualised treatment for the prisoners, as the numbers of
prisoners x staff will be smaller.

Window views opened to courtyards.

Courtyards opened to outside

environment.

39
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40
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IMAGES REFERENCE:
1. Halden Prison Courtyard. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
2. Halden Prison main entrance. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
3. Halden aerial view. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
4. HMP aerial view. Source: Wikipedia.
5. HMP aerial view. Source: Goggle Earth.
6. HMP Wandsworth cell. Source: Design and Violence, 2014
7. HMP Wandsworth courtyard. Source: prisonimage.org
8. HMP Wandsworth galleries. Source: Wikipedia
9. Halden Prison Courtyard. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
10. Halden Prison Courtyard. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
11. Halden Prison aerial view. Source: Google Earth
12. Halden Prison cell. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
13. Halden Prison outdoor landscape. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
14. Halden Prison galleries. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
15. Persona A, Richard: Source: The Guardian, 2012.
16. Persona B, Crystal. Source: BBC, 2012.
17. Persona C, Craig. Source: BBC, 2012.
18. Persona D, Koamal. Source: The Norden - Nordic prisons, 2014.
19. Halden driveway. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/
20. Halden prison walls. Source: http://haldenfengsel.no/

42
GRAPHS REFERENCE:
1. Recidivism Rates in 2015 (%). Retrieved from FAZEL, Seena. WOLF, Achim, 2015. A Systematic Re-
view of Criminal Recidivism Rates Worldwide: Current Difficulties and Recommendations for Best
Practice, PLoS ONE 10(6): e0130390. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130390.
2. Population Rate Trends. Retrieved from World Prison Brief, Institute for Criminal Policy Research,
2015.
3. Social Identification. Retrieved from BBC Prison Study, 2014.
4. Stress. Retrieved from BBC Prison Study, 2014.

43
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