Salutogenic design in prison environments

The concept of salutogenic design plays a pivotal role in transforming secure environments, such as forensic psychiatric institutions, into therapeutic spaces. This approach is fundamentally centred around enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of individuals who are temporarily isolated from society due to acute mental illnesses. Unlike traditional prisons, forensic psychiatric institutions serve as a hybrid between mental health facilities and secure environments, offering care akin to that of mental health services but within a framework of heightened security. These institutions embody a critical distinction from prisons by prioritizing patient treatment and rehabilitation with the aim of social reintegration.

Salutogenic design emphasises the importance of creating spaces that engage all human senses—touch, hearing, sight, smell, and taste—to promote holistic health and wellbeing. This architectural approach goes beyond mere physical considerations like natural light and ventilation, addressing the psychosocial processes that are crucial for mental health outcomes, including personal control, social support, and opportunities for restoration. By focusing on the Sense of Coherence (SoC), salutogenic architecture seeks to foster environments that support psychological resilience and a sense of meaningful life.

The built environment within forensic psychiatric institutions, as well as prisons, can significantly influence the emotions, engagement, relationships, and overall psychological state of individuals. By incorporating salutogenic principles, these spaces can be transformed to not only mitigate the risk of recidivism but also facilitate the process of healing and reintegration into society. This approach underscores the necessity of integrating health and wellbeing into the design and operation of secure environments, aiming for a therapeutic milieu that supports both the individual and societal safety.