University Criminal Law Essay: Prison Design, Security and Rehab

This essay examines the critical components of prison design, focusing on security, safety, and rehabilitation within correctional facilities. The essay delves into the importance of cellblock design, circulation of people and materials, and the implementation of safety measures such as fire detection systems and security glass. It also explores the significance of rehabilitation through multi-faith rooms, counseling spaces, and internal gardens, emphasizing the need to assist prisoners in their transition back into the community. The essay further addresses long-term strategies for addressing institutionalization and promoting resilience, advocating for a humanizing approach to prison design that reduces trauma and fosters motivation for inmates to become law-abiding citizens. The essay references various academic sources, and discusses practical and theoretical implications of prison design.

Running Head: CRIMINAL LAW 1
integral components in the design of a prison that supports security, safety and rehabilitation.
Consider the need to assist prisoners in their transition back into the community in your answer.
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1. the integral components in the design of a prison that supports security, safety and
rehabilitation
Throughout human history, there have always been individuals who by either inner
compulsion of driven by circumstance, break the laws of the society. When such cases occur
multiple times. It becomes an important move to separate such people as they cannot function
within the bounds of society. Those individuals who exhibit deviant conducts are contained in
areas known as correctional facilities.
A correctional facility or a jail can be described as a compound designed with a number
of key objectives in mind: First is punishment, where the facility itself intended to correct the
offenders and frighten the general public from involving themselves with criminal behavior
(Cullen, et.al., 2013). The second objective is to safeguard society from individuals who might
wish to harm. The third one is the aspect of rehabilitation of the offenders. This implies that , the
buildings that make up the complex has areas allocated for social training, education, among
other activities .The fourth purpose is the attempt to cure the offender in terms of mental
afflictions that might drive him of her from recidivism (Scull, 2014).Such efforts are achieved
through therapy or group activities .The final purposes that A jail offers is the provision of public
statement or moral , political and social virtue . Therefore, institutional characteristics play a
huge role in developing an environment of incarceration and rehabilitation without making the
prisoners feel oppressed and hopeless (Fox, 2010).
Due to time and multiple operational implications of developing, designing and
construction of correctional facilities, it is clear that the initial planning ought to be conducted
thoroughly. A fundamental component of a proper prison design is the inclusion of prison
management's concerns early in the planning process. Without proper attention to such

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operational factors, prison workers will seek to maintain order with the constraints of the existing
units, and often in violation of international guidelines and expectations. By addressing these
factors, a design can have a significant impact on both the safety and security of the staff and
prisoners.
Safety and Security
Correctional centers are usually designed with cellblock that creates small separation
within the facility. These units can be used to separate men from women, prisoners of different
offenses, and even sex offenders, among others. Cellblocks are designed to include what is
commonly known as the dayroom. This is a multi-purpose unit that facilities use as a classroom,
cafeteria, library, or even as a church (Liebling, 2011). The advantage of having such a group is
the fact that it limits the movement of inmates, which in turn offers greater security through the
entire facility.
Nevertheless, the disadvantage of dayroom is that services are supposed to be served in
every cellblock, which necessitates more staff. The circulation of people and material within
such facility must be adequately planned in order to maintain safety and security at all times.
Prisoners, by law deserve proper hygiene, medical care. Various prison services such as dental
care, medical treatment, haircuts among others are usually costly to incorporate into a single
cellblock. Instead, a separate location has traditionally been utilized as confinements or the
cellblock and the inmates are transferred to a central location where they receive various
treatment services. In order to ensure that security is maintained, the circulation of inmates from
the cellblocks must be cleared and unobstructed.
Prisons often use different methods and practices when dealing with the safety and
security of the area. These efforts usually take the form of electronic detectors, perimeter wall,

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the structure of the facility itself, and the practices employed to operate the facility. All these
fundamental elements ought to be considered and specific techniques used in their application
during the design stage of the facility. For instance, if the facility is located in an urban area, the
considerations of the perimeter wall would be much different than those situated in lesser
populated areas. Notably, the location of a correctional facility and the type of inmates play a
considerable role in the various security considerations that need to be accounted for in the
design phase. In addition, the architecture of the building plays a huge role in its security. For
instance, unblocked sight-lines for an entire cellblock minimizes the number of security staff
needed to safeguard the area. It further allows other staff to have a better view of the inmates'
activities remaining at secure areas (Trotter, & Flynn, 2015).
Fire safety Detection systems
Where fires are a factor, heat and smoke must also be considered and implemented
where possible and practical. The evaluations ought to be fit for the long-term purpose, designed
with consideration to the location of the facility, availability of various local services and proper
coordination with the local authorities. Moreover, the alert system is also a fundamental element
during the design process of a correctional facility, prisons may train inmates to mitigate the risk
or the frequency of fires, especially in overcrowded conditions (Liebling, Arnold, & Stroud,
2011). Just like other push-button systems, a push button can be utilized to raise the alarm in
case of a fire outbreak in any area of the facility. In this way, the control room can then alert the
nearest fire department of the designated fire officers to trigger evacuation plans. Emergency
lightings that show the escape routes and emergency exist are also essential design plans. Where
the supply of water is adequate, dry risers can be put in place to help the staff and the emergency
services to control the fire (Luther, et.al., 2011).

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Controllable smoke vents in the building roof should also be considered during the design
process. Where there is insufficient water supply for complex fire control systems, it is important
to consider water or sand buckets as well as fire extinguishers in strategic locations around the
prison. Moreover, a portable water tanker with pumps and hoses might be necessary for
circumstances where there are no emergency services available (Wang, et.al.,2010).
Security Glass
The objective of having security glass is not to prevent the inmates from escaping but to
lengthen the amount of time to escape so that the situation can be put under control as soon as
possible. Security glasses are important design frameworks as they are used to prevent the
exchange of contraband items and are often used at the non-contact visiting booths as well as
windows in the building. It is the obligation of the designer to determine the appropriate size, and
the degree of security for the glazing used within the facility (Feierman, Levick, & Mody,2009).
Replacement glass systems often consist of polycarbonate, small air spaces, and sacrificial heart
treated glass. The system is held together with strong bonding strips of foam, with hermitical
seals and thus making its much stronger. Glass clad polycarbonate is the most commonly used
kind in the construction of correctional facilities (Leibling, 2011).
Rehabilitation
Multi-faith room(s): This is a small room that is often designed to house various
religious activities, and might also be used to serve other practical activities. Various religious
groups ought to be provided with equitable use of the area. Therefore, the designer require time
to carefully plan the design of the facility in order to fit the needs of different religious
inclinations. The size and form of the space might be a significant issue depending on the various
cultural expectations (Davis, 2011).

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Counseling room(s): This is one of the critical designs that would ensure that
rehabilitation is achieved within the facility. Prisoners often require psychological support, and
therefore, specific counseling spaces are often provided to support the rehabilitation process
(Braga, Piehl, & Hureau, 2009).
Other offices (s): In certain circumstances, a prison requires needs a space for
psychology, or other rehabilitation and support services. The extent of such efforts entirely
depends on the extent of the rehabilitation program within the prison facility. For rehabilitation
purposes, an office might also be required to offer an administrative space for chaplains who
need private spaces with the inmates (Liebling, Arnold, & Stroud, 2011).
Internal gardens/allotments: If Possible, prison gardens offer a great environment where
inmates can reflect on their doings while at the same time indulge in useful recreational
activities. These areas also provide supplementary supplies for the inmates. This has proven to
have a positive impact on the overall rehabilitation of the prisoners. Therefore, prison designers
need to consider such kind of initiatives insufficient scale (Scull, 2014).
2. Consider the need to assist prisoners in their transition back into the community in
your answer.
Various programs can be initiated by the government to ensure that the transition of
inmates from prison to the outside world is improved. Notably, such people are burdened by
their criminal records, regardless of how small the offense might be. Preparation for re-entry
must commence from the first day of incarceration and proceeds without disruption until the
inmate re-enters back into the Community (O'Toole, & Eyland,2005). There is a need for the
local government to support the re-entering individuals by setting aside funds that would expand
the programs that help with the process. In order to ensure continuity of care, it is important to

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prioritize the sharing of information between correctional facilities, communities, behavioral
health providers, among others. It is important that all the services provided to incarcerated
population specifically target their individual needs. Effective re-entry framework always
recognizes the important relationship that ought to be established between behavioral or
relational health (Trotter, & Flynn, 2015).
Long-Term Strategies
An average prisoner in the First world is often characterized by certain social, economic
and physical factors, and there is a remarkable correlation to the challenges identified in studies
conducted in a variety of Western countries. Former prisoners, tend to experience these problems
to a much greater magnitude than other members of the general population. Not all prisoners face
the same challenges, although numerous challenges can often characterize their re-entry. Smith,
Schweitzer, (2012) acknowledges that there are multiple pathways from early re-entry to later
life events. At the point of transition, certain persons might be more vulnerable to inadequate
treatment, due to the stressors related to these transitions. Resilience in the face of various
stressors of life arises from a positive support system in the past experience in prison and current
life situations. For an offender to respond to multiple life challenges in a socially acceptable
manner, he or she must develop a sense of perseverance. This implies addressing the long-term
challenges and promotive a strong spirit (Smith, & Schweitzer, 2012).
Addressing Institutionalization
Offering detailed and accessible information about a prisoner before release, and about
how a prisoner can properly access the necessary services and support can reduce the frustration
and challenges associated with dealing with numerous agencies in the Community, Inmates can
learn to deal with enhanced responsibility during the formalized transitional stage (Wacquant,

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2010).There is no transitional design framework which implies that inmates can be enrolled in
any of the suitable frameworks once they near the end of their sentence. Such a diversified
setting allows inmates to re-enter into the Community gradually. Moreover, they allow for
continuous participation is various formal programs while at the same time, offering the
necessary structures and support that minimizes recidivism of the prisoners. This importance of
this approach is close monitoring, in which offenders are closely guided towards their entry into
the society through multiple reintegrative activities (Holtfreter, & Wattanaporn,2014).
In summary, it is important for the design of a correctional center to have a humanizing
approach. A new generation of correctional units should provide space that reduce, trauma, fear
and stress while offering motivation through rehabilitation. Such activities would stimulate
motivation of the inmates, and encourage them to make reforms until they become law abiding
citizens (Grant, & Jewkes, 2015). Life in a rehabilitative correctional facility allows for
normalcy, by providing inmates with a good amount of responsibility and autonomy that will
prepare them for their reintegration back to the society. Nevertheless, for such environment to
have positive attributes, they need to go together with positive and constructive inmate
management frameworks and procedures. Design of a building sends a silent message to every
individual walking around the building. It tells people of what to expect and where the limits of
conduct are. Therefore, design is very important in creating an environment where the inmates
can live and become institutionalized.

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References
Braga, A. A., Piehl, A. M., & Hureau, D. (2009). Controlling violent offenders released to the
community: An evaluation of the Boston Reentry Initiative. Journal of Research in Crime
and Delinquency, 46(4), 411-436.
Cullen, F. T., Pealer, J. A., Fisher, B. S., Applegate, B. K., & Santana, S. A. (2013). Public
support for correctional rehabilitation in America: Change or consistency?. In Changing
attitudes to punishment (pp. 146-165). Willan.
Davis, A. Y. (2011). Are prisons obsolete? Seven Stories Press.
Feierman, J., Levick, M., & Mody, A. (2009). The school-to-prison pipeline... and back:
Obstacles and remedies for the re-enrollment of adjudicated youth. NYL Sch. L. Rev., 54,
1115.
Fox, C. Albertson, K. (2010). Could economics solve the prison crisis? Probation Journal
Grant, E., & Jewkes, Y. (2015). Finally Fit for Purpose: The Evolution of Australian Prison
Architecture. The Prison Journal, 95(2), 223–243.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0032885515575274
Holtfreter, K., & Wattanaporn, K. A. (2014). The transition from prison to community initiative:
An examination of gender responsiveness for female offender reentry. Criminal Justice
and Behavior, 41(1), 41-57.
Leibling, A. (2011). Distinctions and Distinctiveness in the Work of Prison Officers: Legitimacy
and Authority Revisited Special Issue: Prison Officers and Prison Culture. European
journal of Criminology 8(6) 484-499

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Liebling, A., Arnold, H. & Stroud, C. (2011). An exploration of staff – prisoner relationships at
HMP Whitemoor: 12 years on. Revised Final Report Cambridge Institute of Criminology
Prisons Research Centre.
O'Toole, S., & Eyland, S. (2005). Corrections Criminology. Australia: Hawkins Press.
Smith, P. Schweitzer, M. (2012). The Therapeutic Prison: Journal of Contemporary Criminal
Justice, (pp 22 – 28) Sage Publications Inc.
Smith, P., & Schweitzer, M. (2012). The therapeutic prison. Journal of Contemporary Criminal
Justice, 28(1), 7-22.
Scull, A. T. (2014). Decarceration: Community treatment and the deviant-a radical view. John
Wiley & Sons.
Trotter, C. & Flynn, C. (2015). Literature review Best Practice with Women Offenders Monash
University Criminal Justice Research Consortium
http://assets.justice.vic.gov.au/corrections/resources/a80ff529-6074-40c4-8881-
684bf4385dbf/literature_review_best_practice_with_women_offenders.pdf.
Wacquant, L. (2010). Prisoner reentry as myth and ceremony. Dialectical anthropology, 34(4),
605-620.
Wang, E. A., Hong, C. S., Samuels, L., Shavit, S., Sanders, R., & Kushel, M. (2010). Transitions
clinic: creating a community-based model of health care for recently released California
prisoners. Public Health Reports, 125(2), 171-177.

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Luther, J. B., Reichert, E. S., Holloway, E. D., Roth, A. M., & Aalsma, M. C. (2011). An
exploration of community reentry needs and services for prisoners: a focus on care to
limit return to high-risk behavior. AIDS patient care and STDs, 25(8), 475-481.

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