There are other issues to consider before modernizing prisons with new architecture, as Yvonne Jewkes has argued ('A place to heal, not to hurt': why cruel prison design kills hope) September 24th). There are examples of places that radically transformed prisoners without resorting to architecture.
For many prison activists, the Barlinnie Task Force, before its closure, was the most important innovation in British prisons over the past 50 years. When I visited this unit, it was located in the old women's wing of the main prison. The building was therefore not specifically designed by the architects to change prisoners, disparagingly labeled as Scotland's most violent. But it was a success not because of the architecture, but because of the compassionate philosophy that staff and prisoners practiced together and on a daily basis.
Moreover, even if the average daily prison population returns to 1993 levels; 44,500 (Although unlikely given the regressive, prison-building authoritarianism of both major political parties.) This begs another question. Which groups will be shamefully stirred up by an unfair and hypocritical system of criminal injustice? If the past 200 years are any guide, it's the same increasingly racialized population: the extremely poor, the vulnerable, the sexually abused, and the psychologically traumatized. Probably. Therefore, no matter how well designed a prison is, Angela Davis' attractive points “In prison, problems don't disappear; people disappear.”
Joe Sim
professor emeritus, Liverpool John Moores University
I have had almost no sense of smell since I was born, but one of my unforgettable memories from my many visits to prisons is the stench that wafts through every facility. Add to that my less-than-perfect eyesight and severe hearing loss, and I'd argue that I'm qualified to talk about the initial feelings of hopelessness that are sure to ambush every prisoner. And what will be the debilitating impact on staff?
I am convinced that the architecture of these gloomy buildings has a unique negative effect. Odors will be repelled. Bland lighting threatens clear vision. When a door slams, any conversation or thought process is interrupted.
Continuing down the path of building more and ever larger prisons will only exacerbate our collective folly as prison numbers continue to grow and prison lengths increase. It will be. “Prison as a last resort” should once again be our watchword.
Malcolm Fowler
Birmingham Solicitor and High Court Advocate (now inactive)
Great article by Yvonne Jewkes. I have worked in and out of prisons for most of my life and I completely agree with her opinion. Once inside a prison, the world looks and smells completely different from the outside. This lowers the morale of inmates and staff. Of course people who pose a danger need prisons, but the loss of natural light and greenery is not good for anyone.
Labor is debating building more prisons. The reality is that we should reduce the number of people we send to prison and focus instead on rehabilitation. But if we are imprisoning people, we must remember that the punishment is loss of freedom. We all thrive in better circumstances. I support Jukes' statement that we need an “architecture of hope”, a place where prisoners feel invested in their future and where staff want to work.
Sue Beaumont
bedford
