APPA Annual Training institute: Delivering a Sense of Coherence

Evolution in design

Prison design has come a long way in the past decade. It is now widely accepted that the built environment, along with good management and humane treatment, can have a positive impact on physical, mental and behavioural health. This is achieved through salutogenic architecture, a principle we have discussed in further detail here, and has informed the MoJ’s New Prisons Programme (NPP), for which we have been a proud partner since late 2020. Each prison, from the first – HMP Five Wells – to the most recent in HMP Fosse Way has been undertaken with a ‘baseline design’, to ensure architectural continuity, as well as Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and sustainability benefits.

Our collaborative design programme has been undertaken with the more than 89,000 prisoners currently incarcerated across the UK in mind. However, the principles we undertake extend across the globe. Although not recognised as such, in parts of Scandinavia salutogenic architecture has been at the forefront of prison design, where there is a tendency for a much more normalised and familiar way of living inside.

Studies also evidence the positive impact that amenities like workshops, libraries, games rooms, open kitchens and shared meals with officers can have on residents and staff alike. In the UK, the MoJ has now recognised the wellbeing advantages of utilising salutogenic architecture and has applied the principles to its new prison soft furnishings and wider cells, along with other considerations such as childcare areas for visiting. Altogether, this feeds into a more humane approach to incarceration – from punishment to rehabilitation.

It's now why, as we descend upon the APPA’s Annual Training Institute, the link between parole and incarceration, is so key. Our architectural design has a huge influence in the way we can help parole officers effectively manage their parolees on the outside, and successfully reintegrate them into society.

Coherent principles

When incarcerated individuals first enter their new environment, they are often experiencing a huge culture shock. Gone, in usual circumstances, is their ‘Sense of Coherence’ (SoC), which is the core principle of salutogenic architecture. The sense of coherence is considered as the personal coping resources and life orientation model that allows us to make life more, or less comprehensible, manageable and meaningful.

When we consider prison design of yesterday, we can easily imagine how a Sense of Coherence is immediately stripped away, further defining the ‘punishment’ mentality. However now, with bright, green and airy spaces, with access to educational and employment resources, prisoners can feel much more in tune with their environment and be prepared for life in society again.

While salutogenic architecture alone cannot lead to low reoffending rates, the aim is that prisoners can experience a much more ‘normalised’ life inside with resources that will focus on their mental wellbeing, so that they are much better prepared to cope with life outside. Ultimately, this makes the process easier on everyone, including parole officers that must work and maintain relationships with their parolees.

Collaboration is the key

While we must always keep in mind that incarcerated individuals have ultimately, restriction in liberty, this shouldn’t come at the expense of design principles that can aid mental wellbeing and boost their prospects of living a more positive life on the outside. It is the role of all individuals in the justice sector and beyond, from architects to criminologists, prison staff and more, to push this message and help build a healthier future for all.

For more information on our work in the justice sector and our trusted advisory and design services, visit here.