Prison Architecture and Its Impact on Different Aspects of Quality of Prison Life

Intersection between prison architecture and experience and behaviour of persons living and working in prison environment is one of important issues in penal research and policy. When prison is understood as a socio-material construct then the central issues relate to how architecture is experienced, how it communicates with people using the prison space and how those experiences impact life in prison. There is solid scientific evidence regarding the consequences design of prison buildings have on different aspects of quality of prison life, although the relationship between them is believed to be underexplored. In this paper, different aspects of the quality of prison life and the impact prison architecture has on them are outlined. It is believed that dimensions of the quality of prison life such as harmony, security, conditions and family contact, wellbeing and development, are influenced by the design choices regarding the correctional facility environment, exterior and interior elements of a prison building. Ideation, planning and construction of future and modification of existing prisons may benefit from integrating findings on relationship between humane prison architecture and behaviour and wellbeing of prisoners and correctional staff.