Wellbeing in Prison Design: An Evidence-Based Design Guide and Poe for the British Ministry of Justice

Lily Bernheimer (Space Works Consulting)

This session will present the results of an interdisciplinary design research collaboration between an environmental psychology consultancy, an architecture firm, and policy experts to advise the British Ministry of Justice (MOJ) on how to design more rehabilitative prisons. Much recent work on improving prison architecture has proposed radical, alternative models, informed by exemplary, international case studies. This project, in contrast, focused on identifying practical recommendations, engaging with the existing state of British prison design and operation. This project was also grounded in a broader research program on factors that help decrease recidivism rates. The mixed methods research approach began with a broad literature review of the environmental and human factors relevant to wellbeing in prisons as living, working, and institutional spaces. The team then conducted a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of Britain's newest and largest prison, HMP Berwyn, using a combination of focus groups, user experience walk-through interviews, acoustic performance evaluation, and an electronically administered survey of 305 inmates and staff members. This POE of HMP Berwyn provided a key opportunity to provide the MOJ with evaluative feedback and guidance before embarking on a major program of prison-building (replacing out-dated facilities).

The collaboration resulted in a 106-page guide to Wellbeing in Prison Design, applying findings to identify specific design solutions applicable in the United Kingdom, but also relevant to other contexts. Key findings include practical recommendations to enhance the biophilic benefits of prison facilities through redesigning the standard layout of housing blocks; to reduce stress through improved acoustic and lighting quality, and to support greater self- and collective-efficacy through broadening freedom of movement while maintaining safety standards. Results were presented to the MOJ, and the project has been awarded the 2018 RIBA (Royal Institute for British Architects) President's Medal for Research.