INTRODUCTION
Human civilization has come a long way since it first began establishing communities and attempted to establish law and order. The reality is that there have always been criminals; people who for one reason or another break the laws established and require consequences for their actions. One of the most controversial discussions throughout history is what are the best means to admonish the offenders, protect law-abiding citizens and send a message of deterrence to other would-be offenders. That being said many different approaches to addressing offenders who commit crimes have existed throughout the ancient world to present day. One of the most common solutions to crime is the incarcerating of wrong-doers away from the public; this is how the concept of prison first began. However, there are many different types of prisons around the globe. When designing prison architecture, it must determine what the goal of the particular facility will be. It goes far beyond fences and guard towers. For example, is the intention of the facility to represent pure punishment, are they intended to rehabilitate offenders or is it some combination thereof? That being said, after reviewing the available sources, it becomes very clear that architectural styles in prison design is a directly linked to the intentions of the facility in how it perceives their purpose and the psychological, therapeutic, ethical and philosophical outlooks of the facility to be designed and constructed.
BACKGROUND
Long before there were prisons different societies throughout history have had many different and often disturbing means of punishing wrong-doers. In the past those accused and convicted of a crime could be assigned to hard labor, placed into a form of indentured servitude, and public punishments, like lashing or being placed in stockades for the community to see, were commonplace. In some cases, there were instances where the solution to crime was swift, harsh and could even result in dismemberment, as in removing the hand of a thief, as well as, death. These ancient punishments employed torture very often and did not necessarily ascribe to the idea of “punishments fitting the crime.” The punishments were generally discretionary upon whoever was in charge (Gill, 1962). When people think of the prisons throughout out time, they likely imagine the dungeons beneath a castle in the middle-ages. Someplace dark, dank, where inmates are mistreated, starved and tortured; a place that most would never leave alive. In the ancient eras the entire purpose of incarceration was a form of revenge against the wrong-doer. Placing them in a prison environment was meant to be harsh. Incarceration also served as a strong message to the public, particularly other criminals, of what will happen to them if they choose to commit a similar crime (Lynch, 2011). As the centuries went by and new philosophies and theories of ethics and morality changed, so did how prisoners are housed, cared-for and viewed. This can be directly seen in how the architecture and design of prisons changed.
Early prison architecture is attributed to the influence of Jeremy Bentham’s 19th century model called the “Panopticon.” The “Panopticon” represents a prison in the round. There is a centralized building for the guards and the inmates areas were laid out like wagon-wheels, extending from the central hub. Giving the guards an ability to monitor more of the prison at one time. This was ideal at the time because,” functioning, abstracted from any obstacle, resistance or friction, must be represented as a pure architectural and optical system” (Architects, Designers, Planners for Social Responsibility, 2016). In the modern era the first prison to reflect the change from the traditional, holding-pen-like prisons in the United States was Eastern State Penitentiary, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here the prison was well cared-for, clean and reflected the changing American values. Opening in 1879 it was something very new in its design and mission. The prison is made up of seven cell blocks, which were inspired by the British-born architect John Haviland. The blocks encircled the surveillance “rotunda.” Private cells, centrally heated, skylights, flushing toilets and running water were all available to the inmates. The ceilings are vaulted and there were many other rooms that allowed for “honest work” training, like weaving or shoemaking. The hallways also vaulted, with tall arched window. The exterior has a medieval feel, massive, grim and grey; it in many ways was described as mixture of prison and monastery (U.S. History Organization, 2013).
DISCUSSION
America, at present, holds the record for the number of prisons built and the number of the population ultimately confined to such facilities is higher than any other. In the 20th and 21st century, many different styles and designs of prisoners all over the world have gotten more and more varied. Again a large part of what determines the kind of prison that will be designed, constructed and implemented is directly reflective of the purpose of that prison. Prisons of the past were more or less intended to exclusively punish wrongdoers and ideally deter the crimes of others (Salinas, 2009). In the new era all of the attention began to focus, in some cases, on criminals as disenfranchised citizens, people whose disadvantage have led them to a life of crime, but they can potentially be rehabilitated. The goal with current prisoners was to provide them with opportunities to avoid recidivism after they were released.
There are different architectural designs that differ between low and maximum security prisoners and between state and federal prisons (Crime Museum, 2016). Many would say that some are still very institutional in nature and regimented facilities and there are some that resemble a vacation resort. That being said, to see the evolution of prisons it is necessary to look at some of the unique and varying architecture of prisons around the world, from the past and in the present, individually.
The Squirrel Cage Jail: This facility was built in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. It contained some of the most unique architectural design. It not only had elements of the “Panoptican” design style, but at the Squirrel Cage Jail has a design does not just extend to the overall architecture, but also to the individual cells as well. At this facility the individual sells are designed in the form of nine pie slices, narrowest at the base and widening towards the door. In the center of these collections of nine cells is a central hub, where a guard can watch each of the sells simply by turning within the hub. This architecture was intended to allow for the greatest number of prisoners with the least amount of needed staff. While uniquely designed the prison closed its doors in 1969 (Kelly, 2013).
Tent City: In fairness “Tent City,” or as it is properly known Maricopa County Prison in Arizona, is not exactly an architectural example, but it does speak to the idea that the intention of the prison has a great deal to do with how that prison in designed and ultimately, constructed. Jon Arpaio is the man responsible for the Tent City. Arpaio feels that inmates who commit crimes, regardless of crime committed, are best benefitted by forcing them to live in outdoor tents and are expected to work in the hot sun, at temperatures sometimes above 110 degrees. In this case, making the inmates unhappy and punishing them with hard labor harkens back to the history of the prison system not the present or future. Bettering and rehabilitating prisoners is not the regimen for this institution (Kelly, 2013).
Aranjuez Prison: Aranjuez located in the town of Aranjeuz in Spain. It is an architecturally unique prison design, as well as, one of the most different in its perceptions and purpose of inmates being incarcerated. Regardless of the inmate’s crime which could range from theft, fraud and even murderers, as well as, other violent criminals live in prison with their families. Children and spouses are free to live in the prison with their families until the children reach the age of three and then they must be sent to relative in order to attend traditional schooling. The prison therefore is designed differently than other prisons that most are familiar with. Not only is the exterior complex considerably larger it is a more child-friendly, the interior design is even more so. The cells are designed to be as large as 150 square feet and include decently sized private bathrooms. The intention of the Aranjuez prison works under the principle that having their families together is beneficial for the children, but also, beneficial for the inmates. The administration feels that the architecture and practice of the prison is more likely to encourage inmates to do better and are reminded of what is “important” (Kelly, 2013).
San Pedro Prison: San Pedro Prison is located on the outskirts of Bolivia and presents one the strangest designed prisons in the world. This prison has no guards and literally functions like a small community. Men, women and children reside there, but where you stay is dependent upon your socioeconomic good fortune. The wealthy can by a space that includes running water, televisions and, sometimes, even a Jacuzzi. While the poorest prisoners, those who cannot buy their way, will find their stay far less pleasant. There are vendor’s stands and shops within the property. The space is not enclosed and probably would not qualify as a prison by Western standards. The intention of this prison is a bit lackadaisical when it comes to addressing crime. There is clearly no investment in maintaining law and order and works to cater to the wealthy regardless of the nature of their crime (Kelly, 2013).
Justizzentrum Loeben: Justizzentrum Loeben is a prison located in Austria. Not only is considered to be the only prison that is literally luxurious in its architecture. There are many who refer to it as a “five star prison,” equating it to expensive hotels. It has been described as being grand, beautiful, as well as, ultra-chic. It boasts modern design and includes designed amenities. The cells are spacious, intended for comfort and convenience. In many ways the architecture of the “cells” are similar to high-end apartments or dorm rooms. Between the unique architecture and the landscaping the compliments it, the only thing that can remind one that it is, in fact, a prison is the fencing, topped with razor wire. However, given the environment the prisoners are not particularly eager to break out. The intention of Justizzentrum Loeben is intended to bolster the inmate’s humanity instead of depriving them of it. If these prisoners can come to such a location be educated, rehabilitate and motivated then they may have a far lower risk of reoffending (Kelly, 2013).
After looking at the variation among prisons, prison philosophy and architectural style that accompanies it. It does create some controversy. Just because many people have changed their perspectives on crime and incarceration, it does not speak to a whole populace. There are many Americans who may look at these architecturally beautiful and landscaped prisons across the world and it may make absolutely no sense to many Americans (Kelly, 2013). It is not supposed to be pleasant; it is possible to adhere to the ideals of rehabilitation without representing prison as a well designed hotel. That being said American prisons are primarily the same in their architectural design, however, at least from the outside. The interiors may be very different, from facility to facility. Those that encourage inmate education may have a well-stocked library and educational classes available. Those that favored treatment and therapy for some inmates, particularly non-violent offenders, like drug users, then the inmates may benefit from a design that is conducive with more therapeutic settings (Lynch, 2011).
The prison design clearly is influenced by the philosophical and viewpoints of the facility that will operate there. Some see inmates as victims of society; others see them as a burden on that same society. All over the world as the intentions of prison facilities changed, so too has the architecture. The dark, drab gray stone or brown rock enclosing a minimalist and institution design, with small uniform cells, behind multiple gates and heavy iron doors is no longer the standard as it once was (Jacobs, 2014). Prisons have come a very long way since their first inceptions. The architecture has and continues to express the intention of the facility. It is very likely that American prisons in the future will begin to become as diverse as those seen around the world. Already the prison system is evolving, allowing for private prisons to open, which means that the architectural style is up to the facilities owner. Currently the United States is having a problem with overcrowding in prisons all across the country. Buildings that were designed to contain ethically a certain number of inmates are being filled, in some cases, well above their capacity. That being said, there are initiatives to increase the sizes of prisons and most are no longer conducive to any therapeutic environments (Campers, 2012). This will no doubt inspire differing facilities and many different architectural designs.
While many argue that the prison system is so flawed and confused in its purposes that it is need of extreme reform. There are some offenders, the non-violent, that would probably benefit from a less structured and strict environment that will offer inmates visits to a functioning library or job training. Other inmates, like those with drug problems would benefit from a facility designed with therapeutic direction and a more hospital structure and design (Jacobs, 2014). However, for the most dangerous, violent and unredeemable prisoners, like psychopaths or serial killers, need to be kept away from the public and are best suited to placement in a more traditional, minimalist and more confined imprisonment. That appears to be the diversified direction that prisons and prison philosophy is going in the future.
CONCLUSION
Prison is not a place that anyone wants to be confined, whether it is harsh or vacation-like, and have their freedom taken from them for any length of time. That beings said prison is a punishment, and there are people who deserve to be punished, but for many this confinement can be used to give some offenders a better chance of being productive upon release. From the architectural designs discussed by Jeremy Bentham’s that established the “panopticon” to the progressive and, almost, luxurious architecture of many European prisons today, the architectural styles have changed in parallel with the changing philosophies of how to address criminal offenders incarcerated and how to achieve justice for the victims of crime and protect the public from criminal threats, all at the same time. The evolution of prisons contributed to how prisons are designed constructed and is reflective of the intentions of those who will operate it. Once again, whether on believes that prison should be a miserable place of punishment, a place to be educated or best rehabilitated; under some circumstances that may include incarceration in a facility that is less like prison and more like a vacation from life, these facilities will always represent that intentions of those that hope to make a beneficial impact on the lives and future of offenders, as well as, the safety and security of the general public.
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