ICPA 2022 Review: Health and wellbeing takes centre stage

Each year, experts from around the globe come together to collaborate and explore how prisons and correctional facilities can deliver better outcomes for staff and individuals occupying these spaces. This year, the 24th edition of the conference theme was ‘Excelling Beyond the Old Normal: Corrections After the Global Pandemic’ – exploring the health impacts of COVID-19, as well as opportunities to improve these environments digitally, spatially, and socially following the devastating impacts of the disease.

As an architectural designer in this sector, I have been actively involved in promoting how health and wellbeing can be infused in environmental design. I am also part of the ICPA’s planning and design network, which has the primary goal to deliver ‘exemplary practices’ in new and renovated prison spaces. At Pick Everard, we combine all this knowledge together, working closely with key partners, including the Ministry of Justice, to ensure prisons are designed to encourage rehabilitation of prisoners, enhance morale and create a positive workspace for staff carrying out their daily duties.

We have previously touched on how academic theories infuse into our design principles to advance and inform our work. In particular, it was clear to see at this year’s ICPA conference just how central health and wellbeing is in achieving more sustainable outcomes in rehabilitation. In particular, salutogenic architecture and biophilic design were spoken of as a prerequisite for every prison project moving forward, with notable facilities, including Adelaide Women’s Prison in Australia, held up as key examples to follow.

The design principles, including soft furnishings and use of tall glass windows, letting in natural light, were cited by key papers, including one from De Montfort University, which highlights the ongoing need for wellbeing-led environments, given the increased pressures COVID-19 lockdowns enforced on prisoners.

At Pick Everard, salutogenic and biophilic design is the primary goal in every custodial project we undertake, and is perhaps best exemplified by our work at HMP Oakwood. The UK’s largest publicly funded prison, the development consists of 17 BREEAM ‘Excellent’ buildings, with facilities including houseblocks, a medical and sports centre, a kitchen, and a visitor building, with all assets designed to maximise prisoner welfare.

Huge projects like this could not be completed without first gaining a deep and wide understanding into design principles from around the world. This year, 600 professionals represented 74 countries at the ICPA conference, which was a great honour to be a part of.

Moving forward, we will continue raise awareness of our expertise in prison design on global stages, such as that afforded by the ICPA. At next year’s conference in Antwerp, we plan on delivering the latest updates on our projects, which will continue to infuse the principles of salutogenic architecture and biophilic design for the betterment of prisoners, staff and sector stakeholders.