Humanity for All

          The parameters of prison design should change. Research on the topic has shown that the existing norm around prison design is detrimental, inhumane, and counterproductive to the reintegration of offenders into society. Additionally, aspects like overcrowding and third-world prison settings help make a stronger case to re-envision the design philosophy and parameters of prison design. As Bernard Kerik once said, “Going to prison is like dying with your eyes open.” While the thought may sound a bit dramatic, some facts reinforce this saying and my initial statement.

          I believe that there are three main talking points vis-à-vis improvement areas and suspect aspects of devolution of the typology. Those are Prisons as the prime Security Infrastructure, A Humane Focus on Reform, and Prisons as the Symbolism of Justice. These three talking points will help me pinpoint some major issues in the typology that will help support my stance.

Prisons as the Prime Security infrastructure

          The Panopticon was highly regarded as ‘the concept to beat’ when it was first completed in 1817. While the Panopticon is regarded as one of the best, most efficient prison designs ever created, the design did have several flaws. There were reports of poor conditions and poor quality of life within the prison model. Translated it meant that the conditions within the Panopticon were essentially inhumane. While the inhumanity of the situation wasn’t a prime goal, the detrimental fact was that the situation was a natural by-product of the design itself. Having poor ventilation and damp walls, the Panopticon essentially invited disease into its walls. The result of which was a design that lowered the quality of life and life expectancy of the inmates because of those after-effects. Still, the Panopticon became a steppingstone in prison design because of the ingenious watchtower concept. The goal was to make the prisoners think that they were being watched all the time and that anything they did can be observed by the guards. This psychological trick made the prisoners always stay on their best behavior, essentially completing the goal that the prison was designed for.

          While it does have its pros and cons, the lesson of the Panopticon applies to an issue with modern-day prisons: the lack of a holistic approach to the design can become a detriment to the design of the prison itself. While modern prisons haven’t so far had any complaints akin to those of the Panopticon, issues with the current prison model still exist. Quality of life and life expectancy in prison shouldn’t diminish because of its design. There is, however, small comfort that most, if not all, prisons perform the function intended of them. They keep those incarcerated away from society, thereby ensuring the safety of the people.

A Humane Focus on Reform

          As I’ve stated earlier, there is a definite lack of the humane aspect of prisons in its design. Coming from a third-world country (the Philippines) and knowing the terrible situation of the prisons here, there’s little comfort that the facilities provided to inmates are adequate.

          Multiple studies and documentaries have found that the prison system in the Philippines is less than adequate. Many questions the quality of life that exist within these places. If you’re looking for a prime example of what inhumane looks like, then look no further. 63.9% of the inmates in the Philippine prison system are remand prisoners (statistic updated May 31, 2021). I find it ironic that even before receiving a verdict (whether guilty or not), you’re forced to stay in a place that is already overcrowded. Considering overcrowding, a CNN report from 2019 stated that 5,000 inmates from Bilibid Prison die due to overcrowding (among other things). Of course, the Justice System has a part to play in this area but that is a conversation for a different time. The fact remains that the prison system in the country is inhumane. The worse fact is that this is just an example that is familiar to me, there are a lot more countries out there (of different classifications) that most likely have the same (possibly even worse) situations than the ones in my country.

          Under inhumane conditions, we can’t even begin to discuss how additional facilities for proper prison ratios can be achieved, let alone an avenue for healing and reform. As the UN Office on Drugs and Crime stated, “A sentence of imprisonment constitutes only a deprivation of the basic right to liberty. It does not entail the restriction of other human rights.” Meaning, a focus on the proper living facilities (rooms, sanitary facilities, food hall, etc.) is just the prime goal of the prison. It’s the beginning of its function, not the end. There are very real places in the world where this prime function can’t even be met, how much more the secondary societal function of prisons.

          Prisons, while they separate those with transgressions, should also focus on successful reintegration into society. Focusing on reintegration is what the Norwegian System focused on, and they are often regarded as the best prison system in the world. Norway has one of the lowest crime rates in the world as well as one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world. If that isn’t proof enough that their holistic and focused approach to reform works, then I don’t know what is.

Prisons as the Symbolism of Justice

          Another problem of modern prisons is the injustices happening within them. Some have argued that prisons are just microcosms of criminal activity in society. It is interesting to note as well, that there were news reports that drug lords and convicted politicians in the Philippines, “lived like kings” in prison given that they paid a price. It is corruption such as this that corrodes the primary function of the prison: to remand transgressors of society to a place of isolation, repentance, and reform. After all, that was the original intent of prisons in the first place. Fast forward to today, I’m sure that these ‘pay for comfort’ practices aren’t exclusive to the penal system of my country. In this regard, I remember some stories that El Chapo (at one time) was able to continue living like a king while under incarceration. While this problem will never truly go away, creating a solution for these would be a step in the right direction. Design-wise, creating small cells that can’t accommodate hot tubs through dimensions would be a good place to start.

          Society looks to prisons as a symbol of the strength of a justice system, as such, they should be designed that way. Although the aforementioned humane living situation would be a priority before this one, I like to think that this aspect, in itself, can help create a better society through the proper creation of prison systems. The design (both aesthetic and function) of penal systems must always convey the strength of justice and the possibility of reform, lest we allow those offenders to recidivism.

          All in all, the problems of modern prisons are many and the solutions are few. While this is a worldwide fact, there is an upside. Thanks to the penal system of Norway, we, as a society, have a proper benchmark for the future development of penal systems worldwide. We are now surer than ever before that a holistic approach, a humane focus, and an opportunity for reform, can help improve the prison/crime situation of a country. While not every inmate wants reform, we should still leave the opportunity for those who want to take it. Radical subjugation does not invite longevity. If we push all the inmates too hard, then nobody will want to participate in reform. If we rule too much with an iron fist and implement non-holistic designs akin to the Panopticon, we may radically decrease the quality of life and life expectancy of inmates. If we institute too much fear toward prisons, then society will see justice as a symbol of oppression and not justice. No dictatorial solution will benefit society in the long run. We must remember the primary goals of prisons, the importance of humanity in a place that desperately needs it, and to find the truest, most holistic design for prisons possible, to showcase it as an institution for justice.