The Impact of Correctional Facility Architecture on Inmate Rehabilitation

Social, Infrastructure

The design of correctional facilities has the potential to shape lives. In the U.S., prisons have long been designed for control and punishment, with overcrowded, bleak conditions that harm inmates’ mental health and perpetuate violence. These conditions don’t just punish—they block opportunities for rehabilitation, contributing to the fact that nearly 80% of inmates in the U.S. reoffend. The solution to this problem is examples like Norway’s Halden Prison, which shows that humane design can encourage healing, reduce recidivism, and give inmates a real chance to rebuild. With humane design, there are greater chances for rehabilitation for a large group of people.