Juvenile Custody and Care

By: USA Federal Bureau of Prisons

There are two different types of juvenile facilities, secure facilities or closed prisons, and non-secure facilities, also known as open prisons. As per the Federal Bureau of Prisons, secure facilities provide rehabilitation and accountability for juvenile offenders in a secure setting that ensures the protection of the public. (Federal Bureau of Prisons, n.d.) These are the typical North American secured facilities with high barbed wire fences, guard towers, and lights out by 10:30.

Non-secure facilities are not surrounded by a perimeter fence, they facilitate the reintegration of juvenile offenders into the community. This system makes the offenders accountable and provides them with access to appropriate settings involving the community under monitored conditions, protecting society. (Federal Bureau of Prisons, n.d.) 

Youth Justice Study Finds Prison Counterproductive

By: Adam Schaffer

October 21, 2016

A report published by Harvard Kennedy School’s Program in criminal Justice Policy and Management (PCJ) and National Institute of Justice documents the ineffectiveness, endemic abuses, high cost in youth prisons throughout the USA.  The report reviews research in developmental psychology and reports of extensive abuse concluding that the current youth prison model should be revised with a continuum of community-based programs. For the youth who require secure confinement, smaller homelike facilities that prioritize age-appropriate rehabilitation should be incorporated. (Schaffer, 2016)

The current youth prison model emphasizes confinement and control and aggravates trauma in youth. It fails to address public safety as well as the safety of the youth being detained. The programs work best when the youth are in home communities with rehabilitative programs. They also work well in smaller homelike facilities that promote opportunities for healthy independent decision-making and self-development. The youth justice system should provide a range of options depending on the individuals needs, from smaller secure facilities to noncustodial programs. The paper looks at the experiences of multiple states that pursued alternative models and finds

community-based approaches can reduce recidivism, control costs, and promote public safety. (Schaffer, 2016)
This article discusses the ineffectiveness of the youth prison system in the USA. Since the Canadian and American Prison systems are very similar, this article identifies flaws in the system and how it has become as ineffective as it is today. The youth in the prisons are being abused and in turn, the system has become counterproductive. This article also makes recommendations that will be incorporated in the final design. 

Why Scandinavian Prisons are Superior

By: Doran Larson

September 24, 2013

In Scandinavian countries, juvenile offenders have a contact officer that is provided to assist and encourage an inmate’s rehabilitation back into society. The contact officers are also assigned to inmates for their own benefit. By assigning officers to inmates, damage caused by hostile conditions is avoided and officers have reduced levels of stress, hypertension, alcoholism, suicide, and other job-related hazards. Since the average American correctional officer’s life expectancy is 59 years, Scandinavian researchers have attempted to increase the life expectancy of their officers. By reducing/eliminating the hazards that accompany the occupation, officers are able to do their job more effectively. (Larson, 2013)

North American prisons are often overcrowded and push to make prisons profitable by contracting out labor. Since politicians were “tough on crime,” certain states are in positions that are becoming increasingly devastating since they are trying to support prisons, yet have no positive return to taxpayers. (Larson, 2013) 

In the published book, Fourth City: Essays from the Prison in America, it is stated that the American justice system sees 75% of all repeat parolees back within three years of their release date. Most prisoners are uneducated, with unresolved traumas, ill-treated mental health problems, drug and alcohol addictions, or self-esteem issues. Majority of these prisoners have never received proper healthcare, mental healthcare, drug treatment or education and in the end, majority of people become violent and irrational. 

Scandinavian practices were originally derived from American practices in the 19th century before Americans became stricter on law and the rise of an $80 billion mass incarceration industry started. (Larson, 2013) Nordic prisons are considered “cushy” because they are not fenced off, they are “open” and allow the prisoners to have access to the community while being monitored on an electronic tracking device. They give the inmate the opportunity to slowly reintegrate into society and attain a job or education to support themselves. Although they are thought to be too supportive, inmates in open prison systems came from closed prisons and are aware that one misstep can lead them straight back to a closed cell. Open prisons yield a recidivism rate of 20 – 30% while the USA has a recidivism rate of 40 – 70%. (Larson, 2013)

This article breaks down the success of the prison system in Scandinavian countries. It explains the differences of Scandinavian practices compared to North American Practices. Larson identified facts such as Scandinavian policies, correctional officer and inmate relationships, and security clearances. This article will be used for the design of the architecture, as well as the structure of the prison system.

Prison is Not For Punishment in Sweden. We Get People into Better Shape

By: Erwin James

November 26, 2014

In Sweden, anyone convicted of a crime by the courts is referred to as a person with needs that are to be assisted and helped. Open prisons in Sweden do not force inmates to wear uniforms, they do not ban books in cells and they give the inmates the freedom to sleep, wake and cook as they please as opposed to closed prisons. (James, 2014)

The country’s clear division of labor between the public administration and the government make it possible to thoroughly research effective methods of rehabilitation. Sweden has implemented many longterm strategies over a period of time to test their efficiency and effectiveness. The well-educated population supports and appreciates that most prisoners will be successfully reintegrated back into society. Sweden’s director-general Nils Öberg’s philosophy on those who break the law is “some people have to be incarcerated, but it has to be a goal to get them back out into society in better shape than they were when they came in.” (James, 2014) 

This article takes a look specifically at Sweden’s prison system. It explains the importance of education and freedom for rehabilitation, which will also be incorporated in the architecture of the prison, as well as the prison system.

Trends in the Design of Correctional Facilities

By: Parkin Architects Limited

May 9, 2016

Project Guide: Juvenile Facility Design

By: Micahel McMillen

The National Institute of Corrections in the USA published a project guide on how to design juvenile facilities. In this project guide, they listed several physical features that made designs as normative as possible. Open interior spaces were listed to provide views to the outside and allow as much natural daylight as possible. This reduces perceptions of overcrowding and enlightens the space, resulting in positive behavior from the inmates. Ready access to outdoor spaces from program and housing areas were also recommended to reduce the sense of confinement. This also expands the amount of program options that are readily available to the inmates. By using light colours, decorative accents and changing decorations, spatial openness is achieved as well as visual variety and the ability to easily personalize the space. Movable furnishings can also assist in changing the use of the space throughout the day and over time. They offer more control over the environment and give the inmates the ability to move the furniture as they please, giving them a sense of freedom. Spatial variety changes the spatial scale and shapes, which reflects experiences that are normally encountered in daily experiences outside of prison. Sound absorbing materials help mitigate disruptive noises and provides control over the volume in the facility, giving inmates more individual privacy, adding a humanizing factor. By specifying construction materials that are similar and commonly found outside of prison, they present no expectation of damaging behavior. Also, providing access to engaging activities to inmates throughout the day and evening reduces the amount of unproductive downtime. (McMillen, 2013)

Information from this article will be used along with many others to make the prison design as functional and efficient as possible. It focusses on the inmates behaviour and emotions towards the space, which has a major impact on their behaviour. 

How Prison Architecture Can Transform Inmates’ Lives

By: Ryan Jacobs

June 17, 2014

SWEDISH OPEN PRISONS

FINNISH PRISONS

On Suomenlinna Island, Helsinki South Harbor in Finland, there has been an open prison since 1971. This open prison has a pick et fence and a capacity of 95 males. The prisoners leave the prison grounds each day to perform general town maintenance, or to get to the mainland to commute to a job or go to school. These prisoners are all close to their release date and are all monitored by electronic devices such as ankle monitors. This allows them to maintain a stable career and visit with their family often, which is crucial for successful reintegration back into society. (Larson, 2013) 

The cellblocks that the prisoners have look like dorm rooms with flatscreen TV’s, sound systems, mini fridges for those who can afford them, and a communal kitchen for each cell block. The prisoners also have access to a screened barbeque pit, and a gym. In this model, prisoners wear their own clothes, and eat with the guards in the dining hall. (Larson, 2013) 

Prisoners in this facility have served most of their sentences for theft, drug trafficking, assault, or murder; however, unlike North American prisons, correctional officers in Finland do not carry batons, handcuffs, tasers, or pepperspray. The presence of such defense weapons makes the inmates feel as though destructive behavior is expected of them. (Larson, 2013) 

Closed prisons were primarily built in Finland in the mid 19th century. These were replicated styles from Philadelphia, or New York, back when prison models in the area represented humane treatment. Even high security, or closed prisons in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland have common areas with table tennis, pool tables, steel darts and aquariums, something that would be considered absurd in North America. (Larson, 2013)

This case study has identified the evolution of Finnish prisons, as well as criteria for a prison cell and recreational area. It takes an in depth look at a successful prison in Finland and breaks down what the inmates have access to, what their living quarters are like, and how responsibility is subtly expected from them. The information collected from this case study will be implied with minor modifications in the design of the prison. 

Interview with Former Inmate

The following interview was with an anonymous former Juvenile Inmate in the UK.
How long of a sentence did you serve? “I had a sentence of 12 months at the juvenile centre. I was also on house arrest, but that was for 6 months after I was released, and after juvy I went to prison for a year.”
What security level was the facility? “I was in a maximum security prison that was run by the government.”
What was the scale of the prison? "It was really big, there were a couple of buildings. Definitely hundreds inmates."
What security measures were taken on a daily basis? “There weren’t any measures that were taken on a daily basis per say, but everything was really secured to begin with. You would have to get up and be ready by 8:30 am, because you had to eat. And then at 9:30, you’d do your activities. So this could be going to the library, getting an education, going to the gym, or work. You’d do that for about two hours, and then have your lunch break where you were allowed to go outside or for an hour or two, and then you’d get back to another task. After that you’d have a break again, eat dinner, and then go back to the cell block.”
How did inmates and Correctional Officers get around the prison? “So the officers used actual keys for certain parts of the prison like offices, or to get to certain cell blocks. They also used keycards to get into other places, but it was not as common. There was a control pannel that an officer would control for the cell doors, so the officer wouldn’t be able to open the actual door with a key or keycard, they would need the other officer to hit the control switch.”
What security measures were taken when you were first admitted? “From the courthouse, I was taken into the van. They had tinted windows so you couldn’t really see anything. I wasn’t the only one in the van, but we weren’t allowed to talk. They open the first set of gates, drive the van in, close them, and then open the second set of gates, drive through and close them again. From there, they took us out and put us in a line, chained us up and took us through the admission door. We were told to strip
down and they searched us, and then we got our new clothes. From there we were given our accomodation items like a toothbrush, soap, blanket, etc, and then they gave us a tour.”
How big was your cell? “The cell wasn’t very big, it was actually really tight and small. In my cell, there were sleeping accomodations, a desk space, and then a toilet and sink.”
Did you share a cell? “Yes I did, I was actually fortunate enough to share my cell with only one other person. Other cells had up to four people per cell.” 
Did you have a window/access to sunlight? “Yes actually I did. I had a really tiny window, and it had a mesh screen over it, so I couldn’t really see anything, but sunlight was coming in. There were bars outside on the windows, and another pole in front of it, so there was absolutely no way I could have gotten out of it.”
Were you given access to a library? “So you actually planned your week in advance, and there you would sign up for what you wanted to do. Like if you wanted to go to the library, you would have to plan a week in advance. So that was good because it got me into planning and not wasting time every day, but I guess they also did it for security, so they know where each inmate is every day.”
Did you have “lights-out”? “We didn’t really have “lights-out,” they locked the door to your cell at 10:30, and you could do whatever you wanted. The door was a solid metal door, pretty much indestructable, and there was glass on it, but it was covered in metal, so the officers could see what was going on in the cell, but we couldn’t see what was happening outside.”
Did you have access to an outdoor environment? “So we were allowed two hours outside, but there was nothing to do. So that’s actually where most of the fights happened, because there was nothing to do, no games, you literally just stand outside or sit on a bench outside.”
Did you have access to a recreational area/room? “We had this area with a pool table, and shower rooms, and you were also allowed to go to the gym from there. We were only there for an hour before heading back to the cell block. We also had access to a private religious room where you can meet with religious priests.”
 

Medical

Did you need to be escorted by an officer? “Everyone needed to be escorted to the infirmary by an officer if they needed medical attention. There was no way to get in without an officer, they had the key. 
Were there private rooms? “There were separate rooms for privacy yes, but a lot of it was just open. So the private rooms were for things like getting a shot, or blood test, or things like that, but long term treatment like someone waiting for recovery happened in the large area.”
Was there a dental unit? “Yes there was a private dental room, but there was only one.”
Were there jobs for inmates? “There were jobs for inmates, so there was electrical, cooking, janitorial, library, serving, laundry, maintenance, etc.”
How was the kitchen security in regards to safety and knives? “Yeah the inmates had to cook, but they were always supervised. There were rankings, so if you were first tier, that meant you were a model inmate, if you got into a fight or trouble, you’d drop down a tier and you wouldn’t be respected anymore. So everyone wanted kitchen, because that meant you had a dignifying, respectable job.”
How were officer-prisoner relationships? “Well it would really depended on each one. Some would abuse their power and human rights, and I’ve actually seen a few inmates get killed by officers, and it got covered up because they would call it suicide. It was really corrupted. At the same time, you did have officers that were actually not bad at all, and cared for the well-being of the inmates.”

Interview with Former Inmates Mother

The following interview was with the mother of the former inmate. She was asked questions regarding the process of getting into the prison for visitation and the security measures that were taken.
Were you limited to the hours and days that you were allowed to visit?
We had to make an appointment ahead of time. So when he was first sentenced, they told us when we were and were not allowed to visit, but we still need to apply for an appointment. Theres quite a bit of paper work that goes into booking an appointment, and it takes roughly a weeks time to process.
Did you need a background check before visiting?
When he first got sentenced, they did a background check on the whole family. So they have everything on record, but filling out the visitor information forms was still very long and they required a lot of information. Going there we needed a copy of our approval and ID.
What security did you have to go through before being able to go to the visitation area?
So after they checked our approval, they checked our bags and gave us a locker for them. We would have to go through a metal detector, and then they would go over us with a paddle. After that, the dogs would sniff you to make sure you didn’t have any drugs or anything like that on you. And after that you could have a seat at a table.
What were you limited to having on you before going in to the visitation area?
You couldn’t really take anything. We were allowed to buy special coins for the vending machines from the front desk, and we would be able to buy him food from the machine, infont of him, but other than that, we weren’t allowed to take anything. 
Was there a time frame on when you could make calls?
He was allowed to make phone calls to us once a month, for about 5 minutes each time, but that’s all. We were not allowed to call him, even for an emergency, we would have to book an appointment to see him. Because there were so many people in the prison, he had to wait for a couple of hours to make a phone call.
Were there washrooms for visitors?
As you walk in to the prison, there is a washroom that’s just for public use, it looks completely normal. When you get into the visitation area, there’s another washroom for the inmates and visitors. There are cameras everywhere, even in the stalls. They warn you ahead of time, but this is so that people can’t transfer drugs or weapons.