Prison Design

Designing the ideal Prison

Elizabeth Wong and Natasha Totonchian
November 25th, 2013
CLN4U
Mr Logan

Architectural Layout and Physical Setting
To begin, our prison is a male prison, located on an island on the East Coast of Canada, 5 km from mainland. The remote location isolates inmates from the outside world as a security precaution to minimize escapes. Our prison was designed for the safety of both our staff and prisoners. To ensure maximum security and rehabilitation, the architectural layout will provide a structured yet reasonable lifestyle for our inmates. Ferryboats will run regularly to transport our staff, new inmates and inmates who have finished their sentence to and from the island. Firstly, our prison is much smaller in size, with a maximum capacity of 600 inmates and a staff of 200. In a less populated prison, we can better provide a secure and safe environment for our inmates. The architectural layout of our prison is two “L” shaped buildings, facing each other with an open space in the centre. This layout allows us to have a convenient and compact prison. Within our facility, we have 300 double cells, a cafeteria, a library, a worship centre, a recreation area, a weight room, a shower room, offices, and a large outside area, all of which are surrounded by a 15’ tall brick wall, as well as an 13’ tall razor wire fence, assuring no escapes.
Each end of our two main “L” shaped buildings will have three floors of 50 cells, totaling to 300 double cells. The cells are made from a steel framing and poured concrete, the walls 1 foot thick. The dimensions of each cell are 9’ by 12’ with a height of 12’. The cells each have two doors, one steel caged bar gate, and a solid steel door, with a peep hole that allows guards to check on inmates in 20 minute intervals. None of the doors require keys to be unlocked; they are all opened electronically by a panel at the end of each cell hallway. Within each cell, there is a metal bunk bed frame, bolted to the ground, each bed has a two inch thick foam mattress and a pillow; clean sheets will be picked up from laundry room on a weekly basis. Additionally, the inmates each have a toilet and sink combination in their cells. If there happens to be water damage and inmates try to dig their way out, they will not go far because the piping leads a narrow concrete area with nowhere else to go. If an inmate gets into this little area, a motion sensor will go off, informing guards that a prisoner has attempted to escape, and he will be punished accordingly.
Our prison allows inmates many privileges and a limited amount of freedom to do activities so long as their behaviour permits. In our prison, we have a large library with a wide variety of all types of literature. Furthermore, we also have a weight room with workout gear including a bench press, barbells, treadmills, and jump ropes. In addition, we have a recreation room that includes televisions, sofas, cards, chess and other board games. When inmates are occupying these rooms, there will be at least two guards surveying and watching over the inmates to assure no violence occurs. When it is time for the prisoners to return to their cells, there will be a count check of all weights, books and other appliances, and the inmates will be searched to assure that they do not try to steal and sneak things back up to their cells. All sofas, weight benches and other large items will be bolted to the ground. Weights and barbells will also be wired to the ground to prevent theft.
In addition to our various recreation activities, we also have a large outdoor area for inmates to enjoy and get some fresh air. This area includes a basketball court, grass area, and benches. There is a large watch tower right in the centre with three guards surveying with shotguns, just in case extreme violence occurs and defense is needed. There will also be guards on the ground watching inmates to assure no contraband or other forbidden affairs are happening.
Along with recreation time, our prisoners will also be dining, doing chores and showering together. Our cafeteria has many long rectangular tables made of steel, all bolted to the ground. Additionally, all of the stools are also bolted to the ground. The inmates will line up, get their food, sit down and eat in silence, guards will inform them when it is time to clean up and then escort them back to their cells. All food is prepared by the inmates, in the kitchen, they take turns doing this chore as well as doing the laundry. The laundry room is located on the lower level under the showers. The inmates have a timed, limited amount in the group shower. Although they will be showering together, there are curtains separating the inmates, allowing more privacy. And again, after cleaning up, inmates will be escorted back to their cells.
In order to help the rehabilitation of our inmates, we provide them with a worship centre and a Doctor’s office that will be available to them during assigned times. In the worship centre, pastors, priests, rabbis and other religious mentors will visit regularly to help inmates spiritually. The Doctor wing will have an infirmary, in case of injury and emergency. We also have psychiatrists available to help with counselling and the mental health of our inmates. In this wing, there is also the warden’s office. This whole wing will also be constantly watched by guards to assure the safety of our staff.
When inmates severely misbehave, they will be sent to the “Shoe”. This is an isolated cell that is separate from the main cell block. When a prisoner attacks a guard, another prisoner or does any other unforgivable action, they will be blindfolded and brought to the “shoe”; a 3’ by 3’ completely concrete cell that is completely soundproof and cut off from the rest of the prison. There are 10 of these cells in the small separate building; however none of the inmates will have contact with one another, as they will not even be aware that there are other inmates in the shoe. Once sent to this small, isolated cell, the inmate will not be allowed any privileges or interactions, food and other necessities will be brought to them and handed through the small slot in the heavy steel door. Inmates will not be permitted to return to their own cells until their punishment is over or guards allow them to. There will constantly be guards watching over these cells and inmates to make sure that they are healthy and have not gone insane.
Our prison is extremely technology savvy. We have surveillance cameras down every hall in every wing of our prison. Guards will be watching what is going on throughout the prison all day long in or tech room which is located in the office building wing. All of our doors can only be opened by correctly inputting a code into a panel located near each door, decreasing the chance for inmates to potentially steal keys and escape. Additionally, when the inmates are transported from building to building, they will have to go through metal detectors and other searches to be checked for any illegal items that could potentially be smuggled or stolen. Furthermore, all of our guards will be equipped with the best technology available. Each will be armoured with bulletproof attire and carry with them a pistol, a baton, pepper spray, a tazer gun and handcuffs. They are permitted to use whatever force necessary to ensure their own safety and the safety of other inmates.
We propose the use of our architectural design because it is a compact facility that is very secure and isolated. We provide the best services to not only lock away criminals, but to rehabilitate them as well. Our well trained staff and surveillance system, as well as the overall structure of our prison will ensure no escapes are possible. We will try to accommodate our prisoners by giving them a limited freedom around the facility; however we will be firm and punish inmates if necessary. Overall, our prison offers great services to rehabilitate and maintain order.

Programs Offered
GED
The GED program offers the inmates an opportunity to earn and advance their educational skills. They attend weekday classes to study subjects such as, mathematics, science, reading, and writing. Studying these subjects helps and prepares them for the test that is available to be taken at the end of every month.
Library
The Library is open for all inmates, giving them access to all the materials. Such as, hardbacks, paperbacks and magazines. Also, a sitting area with tables is available for inmates to sit and read. Computers are also available in a closed section for inmates to email close friends and family members. They email addresses have to be given in advance to insure that they are only emailing those addresses. The guards can watch over all of the computer screens being used on a master computer to insure that nothing inappropriate or against the rules is happening.
Rehabilitation (Health):
There are different rehabilitation programs offered. Inmates may not all have the same issue’s they would want to work on. Our prison offers different rehabilitation programs for the different types of issues that need to be resolved. As for example:
Counseling:
Trained professional counselors are available for inmates when they are feeling depressed, stressed or need to vent out what is on their minds. Having the counselors available for inmate’s enables the prison to make sure no one is overloading with stress or thoughts they do not know how to deal with.
Anger Control Classes:
The anger control class teaches the inmates how to recognize their anger, what triggers their anger and the methods of relaxation. Teaching them to be in control with their anger.
Bible Study:
Bible study helps inmates who want to approach their rehabilitation in a more religious manor. They discuss how to incorporate Bible study and prayer into their lives. As for example, how to find a job, prepare for interview and, save their money.
Domestic Violence Awareness program:
The Domestic Violence program informs the inmates of the cycles of violence, the effects of domestic violence, the difference between a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship and the effects of domestic violence on children.
Drug/Alcohol program:
This program includes an intense drug/alcohol treatment and educates the inmates. The inmates receive group counseling and individual counseling. Giving inmates the opportunity to connect with others that may be struggling with the same addictions and also educates them of what these substances can do to their bodies and minds. Closer to when the inmate is being realized referrals to other doctors or treatment facilities will be given to them giving them a chance to continue to improve themselves even when they are no longer in prison.
Reality program:
As the inmates release date approaches mandatory counseling will be provided to ensure the inmates have a smooth transition back into the real world. Giving them job applications, how to write their resume, how to save their money and also plan where they will be living. This insure that all inmates have the opportunity to succeed when released.
Recreation:
Inmates are given the privilege to have organized recreation time. Activities include: Basketball, Ping-Pong, Weight room (mini gym), Running/jogging. Cards and board games are also available.
Responsibilities:
Inmates are given responsibilities around the prison such as, laundry and cooking. This insures that the inmates continue to work with others and the idea of team work does not become abnormal part of their lives.

A day in Prison (Daily Routine):
7am: Wake up: clean room, make beds
7:15 am: cell count
7:20 am: showers (3 times a week, Monday, Thursday, Saturday)
7:40 am: back to cells for cell count
7:45 am: Breakfast
8:10 am: Laundry
8:15 am: back to cell (unless doing laundry duty) – head count
8:15 am-12 pm: inmates stay in cells
12 pm: lunch
12:30 pm: recreation time
2:30 pm: rehabilitation (inmates go to specific program assigned to them)
2:30 head count when inmates have all arrived to their program
4:00pm: back to cell- cell count
6:00 pm: dinner
6:30 pm: back to cell – cell count
10 pm: lights out

* Cell counts are preformed every hour when inmates are in cells and when lights are out