reviving humanity

The surge in female incarceration rates in the United States has heightened concerns about the mental health challenges faced by women within correctional facilities. This thesis research explores the intersection of women’s incarceration, mental health, and sustainable architectural design aimed at improving outcomes for female inmates. Factors contributing to the increase in female incarceration rates, including changes in sentencing policies and socioeconomic disparities, are discussed. Research indicates a high prevalence of mental health disorders among female inmates, often linked to past trauma and exacerbated by the prison environment. Despite this, the prison system often fails to adequately address the mental health needs of women inmates. Sustainable architectural design principles, such as biophilic elements and well building standard offer promising solutions to promote mental well-being in women’s prisons. By creating transformative environments that prioritize healing and rehabilitation, sustainable design presents an opportunity to enhance the dignity and reintegration of female inmates into the community.