THESIS STATEMENT
Current prison conditions hinder the possibility of rehabilitation and further traumatize inmates, gravitating them towards more criminal activity. It is important to create a stronger community and better the lives of the inmates by rehabiliating them and potentially pushing them to have a positive influence on society. By creating a semi-open juvenile rehabilitative prison, inmates from high security prisons are given the opportunity to slowly reintegrate back into society. These inmates are allowed to work and complete their education while finishing their sentence. They are slowly given more monitored time into society, based on their behaviour. The prison model created in this project is based off of the very successful Scandinavian open prison system; however, it will incorporate minor security modifications. These modifications will reduce the amount of trespassers while containing the inmates and advancing their rehabilitation.
Fig. 2
The Canadian juvenile prison system can be improved by emphasizing rehabilitation, rather than punishment. By focusing on the quality of life that the inmates live and by showing them what they can have, they can become rehabilitated. By not stripping them of their individuality and pushing them to further develop their character, they can become leading role models in society. The site chosen for this project is located at 3100 Hurontario street in Mississauga. It is currently a high school and has a contained courtyard with an abundance of windows. This makes it a great candidate for a juvenile rehabilitation centre. The culture in the area is very diverse and culturally rich. The community is very historically and culturally conservative, while also showing a concern for sustainable design. The site is close to public transportation and is surrounded by retail stores and residences.