The Impact of Prison Design on Rehabilitation

Prison design plays a crucial role in shaping the experiences and outcomes for incarcerated individuals. A well-designed prison can promote rehabilitation by creating humane environments that encourage positive identity formation, while a poorly designed prison can strip away humanity and instill hopelessness. For instance, environments that treat inmates as mere numbers rather than individuals can lead to psychological trauma, diminishing their chances of successful reintegration into society. Efforts to design spaces that inspire hope and connection, such as welcoming reception areas and communal spaces, have been shown to foster better relationships between staff and inmates, ultimately aiding rehabilitation.