5. MASTERPLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE DESIGN OF
HUMANE PRISONS
Prison design expresses the philosophy of imprisonment and can be a tool towards rehabilitation.37 In addition
to the specific recommendations contained in this document, development teams should attempt to design
the prison facilities in a manner that considers the psychological health of the prisoner and creates a positive,
rehabilitative and mentally stimulating environment for prisoners. Relevant considerations include:
Views
The topography of the land where the prison is situated should be examined to establish if any natural
views can be incorporated into the design, especially from the prisoner accommodation and recreation areas.
Allowing prisoners to see “beyond the wall” may help in reducing feelings of isolation and detachment from the
outside world.
Outdoor spaces
Outdoor spaces can be developed so as to encourage the stimulation of prisoners. Gardens and flowerbeds,
for example, can teach prisoners useful vocational skills in gardening while making the prison a better place
to live, work in, and visit. Good planting layouts and schemes can help to soften the appearance of the prison
environment against its harder features such as walls and fences. Creating different outdoor spaces that allow
prisoners to experience seasonal changes should also be considered.
Prisons with developed art programmes may exploit open spaces within the prison to paint murals and display
sculptures that the prisoners have produced. Communal external spaces can give opportunities for prisoner
activities such as education classes and religious instruction to be delivered in an outdoor context, potentially
enhancing the experience and learning.
Natural lighting
Sufficient levels of natural lighting are important in maintaining the health and well-being of prisoners and staff.
Prison buildings should be designed and oriented to maximise the amount of natural light entering them. This
is especially important in countries where natural light levels significantly diminish during the winter months.
While traditional prison designs often favoured smaller windows to reduce the opportunities for prisoner
escape, contemporary designs use robust materials to allow the installation of larger windows without
compromising security.
Sound
In an effort to reduce noise, consideration should be given to the use of materials and panels that dampen the
acoustics of a space, especially in large communal areas. Cells that connect to open communal spaces should
have a closed frontage rather than open bars. This allows prisoners the opportunity to withdraw from a noisy
environment into a quieter space.
Colour schemes
Bright and calming colour schemes can be used to create positive and calm spaces within the prison facilities.
These can significantly affect the well-being of prisoners.