The question of ethical prisons has been explored throughout history. Today, humane prisons seem to have become a rare and overlooked subject when it comes to their systems and design. From Venezuelan gang-run prisons to scandi-style cells in green plains, prisons are a world yet to be explored. 

The History of Confinement

The concept of confinement became popular in 18th-century England as a means of segregating criminals from the rest of society with a length of sentence based on the severity of the individual’s crimes. In North American colonies, Strong-Box prisons were designed as large, unsanitary and unsupervised spaces where prisoners were to live communally. This model later developed into the Penitentiary, which included surveillance, classification of criminals by sex, severity of crime and age through individual confinement. It was with this model that punishment became part of prison design, as it was believed that crimes were committed due to a lack of moral values which could only be fixed with punishment and isolation.

The Pennsylvania and Auburn Systems

The Pennsylvania System and the Auburn System were two formulas used by prisons to inflict punishment. First enacted was the Pennsylvania System, which believed in complete isolation at all times. Each individual would be confined to a large cell which included their “room” and workspace, each cell also had a small, confined yard. This system was later switched out for the Auburn System, after being deemed too costly and deleterious to prisoners’ mental health. The Auburn System saw the division of cellblocks from inmates’ work spaces and consisted in prisoners working by day and being confined to solitary by night. Over time, the Auburn System proved ineffective in the reformation of prisoners. Other issues soon came to light, such as the incarceration of young delinquents in institutions built for adults. 

Kingston Penitentiary

Kingston Penitentiary was one of the largest non-military structures situated in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, with a main dome at the centre of the cross-shaped cellblock where prisoners lived. Behind it was located an equally large workshop of the same shape. Each cell was separated by 60 centimeter thick walls to prevent communication between inmates who lived in spaces that were 2m by 0.6m large. The middle of the cellblock was made up of rows of these confined spaces, stacked 5 cells high. During working hours, prisoners were to carry out their tasks in silence, much like with everything else in the prison, to promote self reflection on the consequences of evil doing.

Important Features of Prison Design

Architecture is a form of silent communication. Upon experiencing it, we immediately create expectations based on our surrounding environment. The same goes for prisons. Retired prison development advisor Isabel Hight explains that, for effective reformation of the incarcerated, prisoners need to be in environments that can allow them to keep up with social practices and community life. This also means incorporating the country’s culture in the design. Without it, prisoners risk becoming even more alienated from every day life outside of their cells. Prisons should be spaces where the incarcerated can connect with all sorts of activities such as sport, education and work while also maintaining connections with their families and loved ones. It is also important that prisons are located where population is in high density to facilitate a series of activities such as community service, family visits and court proceedings.

Today’s Prisons

Over the centuries, it has been understood that lack of morals is not the only cause of criminality. Society, the justice system and the process of incarceration have all become increasingly complex. Such complexity has increased what is demanded of the incarceration system itself. Prisons are now expected to tend to the mentally ill, provide education and address the failures of the justice system, as well as those of society. Modern day prisons are often equipped with outdated, culturally irrelevant designs that fit european standards rather than the country they are located in. A common occurrence is also a scarcity of water, electricity and sunlight, which contribute to poor sanitary conditions. The unfortunate truth is that there is simply not enough funding to go around, between all kinds of institutions, for them to be updated despite demands for better conditions.

Tocorón Prison, Venezuela

Located in Venezuela, Tocorón prison is well known for having birthed and been run by the Tren de Aragua gang who created their own little city within its walls, complete with a small zoo full of exotic animals, a swimming pool and nightclub. The prison was turned into its center for all illegal dealings and, within it, everything they might need like Bitcoin-mining machines, rocket launchers and grenades. The 2023 raid to regain control of Tocorón was considered successful despite the Tren de Aragua’s leaders having long before fled the country. Such an occurrence is common amongst outdated prisons. According to Hight, when the institution is no longer able to provide adequate living standards, prisoners and staff are the first to look for solutions by establishing their own systems. For example, food can become currency, leading to abuse and corruption.

Storstrøm Prison, Denmark

This small, state-of-the-art prison can house up to 250 inmates in Northern Falster, Denmark. It opened its doors in 2017 with the aim of being one of the most humane high-security prisons. The prison’s design, as stated by Alex Poulsen Architects, focuses on the resocialization of the incarcerated by focusing on their well-being. The overall design is meant to minimize the institutional vibe that prisons usually have about them through a variety of building typologies. Materials were also specifically selected to ensure durability with minimal maintenance. When it comes to the inmates living spaces, each cell is equipped with modern furniture and connected to shared living spaces. Here inmates can foster their independence by cooking their own meals, alone or with other prisoners. Rooms are also designed for individuality and well-being, with two windows and neutral colors to allow for personalization of the space.

Storstrøm Prison, Denmark (Continued)

The infrastructure also features strategically placed greenery with the purpose of reminding prisoners and staff of a small cityscape. A chapel and dedicated prayer rooms are included to promote self reflection and to satisfy spiritual needs. Safety and surveillance of inmates is also prioritized through strategic design choices such as the implementation of escape routes and secure rooms for staff. Storstrøm features a variety of workshops and programs in the employment and educational sector to provide inmates with tools to reintegrate into society. Overall, Storstrøm communicates a mutual understanding between the system and the inhabitants of the prison as a place of forgiveness and purpose, not of punishment.

The Prison of the Future

The bottom line is that prisoners need spaces that allow them to keep up with the times to promote their future reintegration into society as reformed individuals. A culturally contextualized, modern approach to their design and architecture can play a crucial role in how prisoners approach their reformation period. Such a change would also be fundamental in mutating social stigmas surrounding newly-released prisoners and encourage communities to take part in, or at least open up to, welcoming these individuals back into society. It would be essential that all services be modernized. Not just water and electricity supplies, but also healthcare, digital and rehabilitation services. With proper funding and support future prisons can follow in the footsteps of other modern institutions like Storstrøm and begin a new journey towards the reformation of some of society’s forgotten members.

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