1. Examining the intersection of carceral space and well‐being: Correctional officers' perspectives on old and new prison design.
- Author
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Mario, Brittany, Ricciardelli, Rosemary, Johnston, Matthew S., and Sibley, Marcus A.
- Subjects
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CORRECTIONAL personnel , *ARCHITECTURAL design , *CORRECTIONAL institutions , *CANADIAN provinces , *AIR quality - Abstract
In the current study, we explored the prison design and infrastructural changes that Canadian correctional officers consider to be essential in the construction of a new provincial correctional institution intended to replace Her Majesty's Penitentiary (HMP) in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Analyzing 28 semi‐structured interviews conducted with correctional officers employed at HMP, we found the poor working conditions within HMP are, at least in part, related to the physical design of the prison, including inadequate lighting, poor air quality and temperature, high sound levels, and other spatial limitations. Building on the prison design literature, findings suggest that while prison design requires attention to physical security at the forefront, there are ways to improve the space, recognizing how an uncomfortable workplace and living conditions also pose a potential threat to the well‐being and safety of correctional officers and people who are incarcerated. Key messages: Correctional officers at HMP believe poor working conditions within the prison in part are affected by the physical design of the prison.Safety for both officers and prisoners is at risk due to infrastructure, technology, and air quality issues within the prison.Carceral space, particularly the physical design of a prison, should contribute to the well‐being of all its occupants, prisoner or staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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