ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

“A.K.A.P: Abot Kamay Ang Pangarap” A Proposed Detention Center of

Children-In-Conflict-with-the-Law through Normative Design

A Thesis Proposal Presented to the

College of Architecture
Adamson University

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements of the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Architecture

By

JOHN PAULO ASUNCION DE BORJA

DEC 2023

1
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

ABSTRACT

A several children in the Philippines are experiencing a situation that they

shouldn’t have to experience at their young age. These circumstances can be

situated in a large community where poverty is highly developed. Children who

are caught or captured because of the misconduct they made ends up in

rehabilitation centers which gives young children who commit crimes the

opportunity to reform. Children in this facility will often feel loneliness,

maltreatment of peers, educational assistance and other negative effects on a

child in facilities. Prioritizing the enhancement of children's well-being in this

facility is crucial to ensure that their childhood is not taken away from them.

Architecturally, there are many ways to help these children from these

negative effects of being held in a rehabilitation center. This study seeks to

identify architectural systems and design programs that can serve as prototypes

for diverse rehabilitation purposes. The goal is to pinpoint architectural

interventions that can effectively facilitate the reintegration of children in conflict

with the law from institutional settings into society.

2
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Chapter 1

THE INTRODUCTION

Republic Act No. 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act” defines

the Juvenile Justice and Welfare System as a system dealing with children at risk

and children in conflict with the law, which provides child-appropriate

proceedings, including programmes and services for prevention, diversion,

rehabilitation, reintegration and aftercare to ensure their normal growth and

development. Children who commit criminal acts or any offenses in society are

called Children-in-Conflict-with-the-Law or often called Juvenile Delinquent.

Many children that commit this kind of behavior are being held in rehabilitation

centers. The facilities also provide individual treatment programs and activities

that will aid the psychological, emotional and psycho-social well-being of the

children. As a response to the pressing need for effective rehabilitation centers

tailored to the needs of these children, this thesis proposes the development of a

specialized facility through normative design principles.

3
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

1.1. Background of the Study

The causes behind children engaging in criminal behavior at a young age

are complex and often involve different reasons. With authorities pointing not

only to poverty that pushes children to commit crimes, as well as the adolescent

period of children that affects their behavior. In the report of PNP Women and

Children Protection Center, it was recorded that in the period spanning January

to December 2020, authorities apprehended 15,892 Children in Conflict with the

Law (CICLs). Among them, 1,806 were undergoing diversion at the police level,

and 9,502 were transferred to Local Social Welfare and Development Officers

(LSWDO) or representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD). A total of 2,447 CICLs were handed over to their families,

while 3,111 remained at large. Thirty-seven juveniles were detained in facilities

supervised by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Offenses

attributed to CICLs in 2020 included rape (1,506 offenders), violation of RA 9165

(Prohibited Drugs) (1,207), theft (765), and other offenses (10,079).

As of December 2020, there were 37 Bahay Pag-asa facilities distributed

throughout the country, financially supported and managed by local government

units. In contrast, Regional Rehabilitation Centers for the Youth experienced

4
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

issues of overcrowding. During the period from January to December 2020, there

were 1,118 available beds, yet these accommodated 1,738 "clients."

Table 1 displays the count of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL)

investigated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) from 2017 to 2021. Even with

the height of the COVID-19 pandemic during that year, there was still a significant

increase in the number of cases involving Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).

JJWC (2022) stated that, over the last five years (2017–2021), Regions CAR,

MIMAROPA, and BARMM consistently had the fewest cases of Children in

5
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Conflict with the Law (CICL), making up only about 1% of all CICL cases each year.

On the other hand, Regions III and VII, along with the National Capital Region

(NCR), consistently had the highest number of CICL cases during this period,

accounting for approximately 13% of the total cases each year.

The cases of CICL in the Philippines is very alarming at their young age,

these children can commit a serious crime. The most common offense

committed by the children on the given table 2 is theft which is only the PNP

investigated. One of the most alarming incidents investigated by the PNP is the

prevalence of rape cases, ranking among the top three in their investigations.

6
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Furthermore, there is a noticeable behavior indicating that these children are

becoming more aggressive in recent years emphasizing the need for attention

and intervention.

As of December 2020, there were 37 Bahay Pag-asa facilities distributed

throughout the country, financially supported and managed by local government

units. In contrast, Regional Rehabilitation Centers for the Youth experienced

issues of overcrowding. During the period from January to December 2020, there

were 1,118 available beds, yet these accommodated 1,738 "clients." The lack of

facilities is also a problem for the CICL which cannot accommodate a large

number of children. CHR Commissioner Leah Tanodra Armamento disclosed that

out of the mandated 114 Bahay Pag-Asa centers, only 58 are currently

operational. She expressed her opinion that the existing Bahay Pag-Asa centers

fall short of the legally required standards due to insufficient budget allocation

(Balboa, 2019).

These children still have a chance for improvement and repent for their

wrongdoings, for the reason that they are in the early stages of life, with ample

time ahead to achieve their aspirations. Architecturally speaking, meticulous

7
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

planning for a facility catering to CICL is pivotal in addressing this issue. Achieving

positive outcomes for the children is crucial, as it will contribute significantly to

enhancing their emotional, social, and educational well-being. Normative Design

is an architectural foreign strategy to reduce the recidivism of a juvenile that

promotes more social interaction of juveniles in the rehabilitation center.

According to Boul (2019), the renovation of a detention center that promotes the

Normative Design, appears to be working on the inmates on the facility. In 19

months of observing the facility, no single violent incident was accumulated on

said facility. Resembling a college campus, the Las Colinas facility incorporates

structures dedicated to learning and training programs. Classes are

supplemented with wellness counseling, including individual sessions. As an

illustration, the "trauma art" class provides inmates with a platform to address

issues through artistic creation, thereby enhancing the probability of achieving a

state of wellness and diminishing the likelihood of re-arrest.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

This study will address the problem of the CICL in part of the philippines.

Through this study, promoting architectural strategy for CICL would help the

researcher provide architectural solutions to the existing problems of the study.

8
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. How does normative design play a part in the process of rehabilitating

CICL?

2. How will the detention center prevent the occurrence of recidivism?

3. How can the application of normative design principles in the detention

center be optimized and give precedence to the successful integration of

the individuals into society?

1.3. Objectives of the Study

Problem Objectives

What will be the design strategy for To design and plan a detention center

the detention center that will to provide reintegration through

reintegrate the CICL? Normative Design Architecture for the

CICL.

How can the occurrence of recidivism To design a detention center for the

be reduced in designing and planning CICL that promotes the normative

of the detention center for CICL? design principles that lessen the

recidivism rate while meeting the

9
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

healthy mental and safety needs.

How can the application of normative To design a detention center that aims

design principles in the detention to create a more supportive

center be optimized and give environment and help individuals

precedence to the successful successfully reintegrate into society

integration of the individuals into with the help of different programs

society? and activities for the CICL.

1.4. Significance of the Study

In the Philippines, juvenile delinquency is one of the problems that the

country is currently facing. With its prevalence in some areas of the Philippines,

numbers of facilities cannot accommodate a high number of CICL. This research

aims to support Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) by employing an

architectural design strategy. The goal is to enhance their livelihood, promote

overall well-being, and reduce the likelihood of re-arrest. Achieving this involves

the thoughtful design of a detention center for CICL, emphasizing the significance

of planning facility spaces and creating a conducive environment.

10
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

1.5. Conceptual Framework

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

In Figure 1. is the Conceptual Framework of the research, the researcher

developed an idea to validate the research question. This involved the creation of

supporting evidence aimed at improving and constructing a design solution for

the detention center catering to CICL that focuses on normative design. The

intent is not only to validate the research problem but also to contribute to the

enhancement and design innovation within detention facilities for Children in

Conflict with the Law (CICL).

11
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

1.6. Project Scopes, Limitations & Delimitations

Project Scope:

The main project’s focus of the study will focus on the

Children-In-Conflict-with-Law (CICL) detention center with the approach of

Normative Design. The effectiveness of Normative Architecture influencing the

behavior of the CICL will be evaluated through the proposed facility. Additionally,

the study will address strategies implemented to offer a solution to the identified

problem.

Limitation:

This study is only limited only to the aspect of Architecture especially

focuses on designing, programming and planning the spaces and facilities of the

detention center for the CICL through Normative Design.

Delimitation:

12
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

1.7. Definition of Terms

● A.K.A.P - Abot Kamay Ang Pangarap (The dream is achievable).

● Bahay Pag-asa - means House of Hope. The place serves as a short-term

sanctuary for children at risk (CAR) and children in conflict with the Law

(CICL) in support of a restorative justice and welfare system in a

protective and enabling environment.

● CICL (Children-In-Conflict-with-the-Law) - refers to a child who is alleged

as, accused of, or adjudged as, having committed an offence under

Philippine Law

● Detention Center - an institution where people are held in detention for

short periods, in particular undocumented immigrants, refugees, people

awaiting trial or sentence, or young offenders.

● DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) - is the

executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for the

protection of the social welfare of rights of Filipinos and to promote social

development.

● Juvenile - a person below the age at which ordinary criminal prosecution

is possible.

13
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

● Normative Design - a set of normative rules about how buildings should

be done rather than how buildings are.

● PNP (Philippine National Police) - is the armed national police force in the

Philippines.

● Rehabilitation - refers to the process, which promotes or facilitates the

acceptance of the child back into the family and the community. It aims to

heal the wound of the victim or repair the damage to the community

which resulted from the offence committed by the CICL

14
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Chapter 2

THE LITERATURE REVIEWS

2.1. Reviews on Related Literatures

The Philippines, a country that has a huge population number that suffers

from increasing numbers of poverty rate and the government hardly deals with

the children that are involved in criminal activities. This kind of behavior cannot

be resolved immediately due to the problem of having a bad educational system

and from the wide unemployment problem in the country that makes these

people avoid committing crimes even children are affected by this problem. This

elevates juvenile delinquency as a significant issue in the Philippines. These

young individuals are placed in detention or rehabilitation facilities due to

allegations or convictions related to criminal activities.

The BusinessMirror (2022) a newspaper contributor stated that, with the

increasing number of juvenile delinquents that was documented with each year

are often linked to poverty, yet the advocates and commentators think that the

main issue primarily stems in the failure of the State to properly handle with the

so-called children-in-conflict with the law (CICL). While the children and

teenanger are learned to commit and involve in minor offenses, there are

allegedly that youth offenders are becoming younger and bolder. Even though

15
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

the laws of the Philippines desire to protect and create a better place for these

children, the rehabilitation programs remain inadequate due to lack of funding

regarding a reforming aspect that has not yet been implemented. These issues

may not only hinder the purpose of rehabilitation but also affect the CICL from

risk of abuse.

The likelihood of an individual to commit a new crime after being

released from detainment is what you called Recidivism which poses an

important challenge to any country globally. This problem not only occurs as

financial burdensome on a certain government but also has an impact on the

lives of every individual (Breva & Onsat, 2023). According to Yukhnenko (2019),

the recidivism around the world has been growing that makes the world on alert

on this problem, with the government experiencing a difficulty to discourse the

root cause of criminal activities and minimize the occurrences of crimes.

Figure 1. Data of Recidivism

16
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Figure 1 presents Recidivism data from the Bureau of Jail Management

and Penology (BJMP) for the years 2019-2022, revealing a significant and

alarming increase in the recidivism rate each year in the Philippines.

Based on the article of Krainova, Khlebushkin, and Oleynik (2021), The

issue of recidivism is highly recognize in every country around the world, to fully

prevent someone to commit a crime again, individual should undergo

post-penitentiary intervention to aid them from reverting to criminal activities.

This procedure is commonly known as treatment in other countries. For example,

in Spanish Legislation includes tratamiento, that includes many different

programs, for instances giving employment, trainings, education, medical and

preventive care and etc that will help the prisoners for their comprehensive

development of their personality which provides them with effective tools for life

upon reintegration into society.

Some countries have recognized the architectural aspect of correctional

facilities as an aid to reduce the recidivism rate by promoting the

implementation of Normative Design in the facilities. Based on Boul(2019), the

normative design plays a significant role in providing a facility of correctional that

promotes more social interaction among inmates, with the increase of trust on

17
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

guard, provides educational program resources and training spaces which gives

everyone a peaceful and comfortable environment.

To understand the impact of Normative Design on minimizing the

Recidivism rate, the study of Beijersbergen (2014) helps to identify a specific

building design that plays a crucial part to the mental health of the inmate.

Panopticon and radial architectures are commonly found in institutional

environments that feature circular layouts where cells line the interior

circumference for continuous observation of the guards. This design negatively

affects the inmates especially in mental health, with the feeling of isolation. The

Rectangular layout has the resemblance to the panopticon architecture, which

causes the inmates to experience the feeling of being secluded and scrutinized.

But the most effective way to layout a facility for the inmate is the Courtyard

Design. This layout is characterized by small living units with the resemblance of

residential rooms on college campuses that has the most positive influence. The

layout provides kitchens with supervision, outdoor spaces and communal areas,

creating a comfortable environment that helps to ease the mind of the inmates.

Despite close monitoring, correctional guards in courtyard designs engage more

with inmates, fostering positive relationships.

18
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

2.2. Case Study

2.2.1. Bahay Pag-asa

A 24-hour child caring

institution established,

funded and managed by

(1) local government

units and (2) DSWD

licensed and accredited non-government organisation, providing short term

residential care for CICL who are above 15 but below 18 years of age who are

awaiting court disposition of their cases or transfer to the agencies. This facility

provides intensive intervention to CICL who have committed serious offences or

have committed an offence for the second time or often but are not criminally

liable as they are 15 years old and below. Bahay Pag-asa serves a home

temporarily for the CICL, where they are helped to appreciate their worth and

rebuild their lives. Common ground for the CICL in the Philippines, Bahay Pag-asa

has different locations of facilities in different localities. One of the examples is

the facility in Valenzuela, located at R. Jacinto Street in Barangay Canumay West

is a 423.9-square-meter, two-storey building on 639.2-square-meter walled

19
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

grounds. The PhP 9 Million facility has a receiving area, three dormitories and a

roof deck can accommodate 30 clients.

2.2.2. Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility

A detention centre

located in the USA that

promotes the normative

design which has a

significant impact on the

human psyche that aids

their mental health and

well-being of inmates. Los Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility is not the

typical prison where the place is to detain and punish the criminals. In this

facility, they make a change and transform the life of the inmates. In response to

the vision of creating a facility of treatment environment akin to a campus

community, the solution made incorporates a light colour palette, soft and varied

materials, natural light and acoustic planning which showed that it reduces the

anger, stress, anxiety, sadness, depression and etc with regards to mental health.

Compared to traditional prisons, where most spaces and services are housed

centrally in an enclosed environment with low natural light and outdoor spaces,

20
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

this campus is divided into zones, the communal, programmatic, administrative

and housing that is connected by a central quad that is intended as recreation

similar to typical university. Outdoor spaces are planned strategically to

encourage better interaction. The program activities and spaces are purposefully

designed to promote educational, vocational training, personal and spiritual

growth.

2.3. Synthesis

Understanding human behavior is crucial for designing a detention

center facility, as it provides insight into factors that influence mental health.

People with issues of committing criminal activities still have a chance to prove

themselves for a better life. Providing a facility that will rehabilitate these

individuals will contribute to their well-being by addressing their personal needs

and improving positive personal development. It involves creating an

environment that supports rehabilitation through different programs tailored to

improve mental health, spirituality, skills and integration into society.

21
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Chapter 3

THE RESEARCH METHOD

3.1. Research Design

The study will use the qualitative research method for the proposed

detention center. These methods will be utilized to collect data on the previously

mentioned problems and to establish the satisfaction of objectives of the study.

The collection of data of the research design will be deduced through personal

interviews and surveys questionnaires.

According to Linda Groat (2002), the focus of the qualitative method of a

research is on organizing and understanding the collected data through the

methods of observation and interviews. Qualitative research often uses intricate

written and visual materials to show the many different aspects of the analysis

and findings.

3.2. Data Gathering

3.2.1. Personal Interview

The researcher will conduct a personal interview to collect

valuable knowledge on the CICL and other personnels that have authority in

detention centers which will help to gather information about the proposed

22
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

architectural project. These individuals would give a better understanding about

the existing problems of the study.

3.2.2. Survey Questionnaires

The researcher conducted a survey involving participants to gather

information for the study. The aim of the survey is to achieve a comprehensive

understanding of the specific subject, unveiling different perspectives of the

people regarding the proposed project.

3.2.3. Data Processing

After collecting the required data for the study, the researcher will

proceed to organize and assess it to recognize the emphasized problems.

Through this evaluation, the researcher analyzes the collected data, offering a

broader perspective on the study and enabling consideration of any

shortcomings within the proposed project.

23
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

REFERENCES

Beijersbergen, K. A. (2014). Procedural justice in prison: A study on

determinants and consequences of a procedurally just treatment of prisoners.

[PhD-Thesis – Research external, graduation internal, Vrije Universiteit

Amsterdam].

Boul, B. (2019, January 17). Normative Design’s Role in Reducing

Recidivism Rates | Ideas | HMC Architects. HMC Architects.

https://hmcarchitects.com/news/normative-designs-role-in-reducing-recidivism-

rates-2018-09-05/

Groat, & Wang. (2002, February 11). Architectural Research Method (2nd

ed., Vol. 247). John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-004-0006-7

Krainova, N. A., Khlebushkin, A. G., & Oleynik, D. (2021). Prevention of

recidivism: experience and innovations. SHS Web of Conferences, 108, 03016.

https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202110803016

24
 ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Onsat, D., & Breva Jr., D. (2023, March 26). Factors Affecting Recidivism of

Persons Deprived of Liberty at Tabaco City District Jail. JPAIR Multidisciplinary

Research, 52(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.7719/jpair.v52i1.623

What Causes Juvenile Delinquency in the Philippines? | BusinessMirror.

(2022, May 20). BusinessMirror.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/05/19/juvenile-delinquency-in-the-philippin

es/

What is a child in conflict with the law (CICL)? (2022, January 31).

Philippines Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved December 16, 2023,

from https://pcij.org/blog/2992/child-in-conflict-with-the-law

Yukhnenko, D., Sridhar, S., & Fazel, S. (2020, November 3). A systematic

review of criminal recidivism rates worldwide: 3-year update. Wellcome Open

Research, 4, 28. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14970.3

25
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

26