The Environmental Psychology of Prisons and Jails Richard Wener

1. The Environmental Psychology of Prisons and JailsRichard Wener Talk to PRoF Meeting 3/27/2014

2. This is a jail…

3. …and so is this.

4. This, too

5. People have always been held captive

6. not always safely…

7. or with respect.

9. Digression: what’s it like to be an inmate? • Well, now we all know…

12. Federal Bureau of Prisons‘Experiment’ in Jail Design New Generation – Direct Supervision Jails

15. Revolutionary for their time: • Corrections Officer in living area • supervise, not surveil • Redefined CO job • more responsibility, more interaction • Inmates relative freedom within module • access • Normative Design • less institutional • changed expectations

16. Linear Intermitent Supervision Linear Intermittent Supervision

18. San Diego

19. Chicago

20. New York

21. Respond to expectations • Is this a place for humans or…other?

23. Contra Costa County, CA

24. Booking

28. Principle : Normative Design leads to normative behavior Softer Architecture  Less Vandalism

29. Example

31. Found over 60 published studies • Anecdotal reports, case studies, surveys and quasi-field experiments • Studied over 200 jails and prisons Remarkable consistency in findings: • Safer – low assault, low vandalism • Less stressful, better for staff and inmates • Not more expensive to build or operate

32. Other prisons in other countries that take similar approach • Norway, Austria, others Go even further

36. View through lens of Environmental Stress Aspects of setting ↓ arousal, displeasure, tension, discomfort

37. Critical Things to Know About Stress Stress is cumulative. - multiple stressors at once worse - exposed to many at once in prison

38. … Stress greater if • Uncontrollable, • Unpredictable • Variable in onset, offset & duration

39. Stress leads to • Physical illness – cardiovascular and other • Reduced cognitive abilities, concentration • ability to learn, grow, solve immediate social and long term personal problems • Reduced ability to tolerate frustration • Increased irritability, aggression • More risk of violence, disfunction • increases depression, learned helplessness

40. People can adapt to many stressors - but at a cost

41. Life in total institution magnifies all stress effects • Involuntary • Extreme levels • Long term exposure • Multiple sources

42. drip, drip, drip, drip Lack of control goes from irritant to torture

43. Plus…loss of normal coping mechanisms… • Sense of normality & stability • Social contacts - family, friends, work, community • Competence and control over life • Ability to adjust environment

44. NO SHORTAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS IN PRISONS & JAILS …TAKE YOUR PICK

45. Lack of Privacy

46. Crowding

47. Isolation http://www.dcs.qld.gov.au/About_Us/The_Department/Custodial_Corrections/Capricornia_Correctional_Centre/index.shtml

48. Noise http://www.24x7updates.com/FullStory-News-More_Noise_is_equal_to_More_Chances_of_Heart_Attack-ID-200675.html

49. Lighting – (too much, too little, lack of daylight)

50. View & Lack of Access to Nature http://www.asphistory.com/gardens/garden3.JPG