The literature reviewed in this chapter underpins the impact that the built form has on a person within their physical and psychological state. The majority of the prisons within South Africa that accommodate the biggest prison population are of the design and construction of the old generation prison thus most of the ex-prisoners released and paroled have been subjected to them. The effect of thebuilt form on the prisoner has a far exceeding influence than its containment. The way in which prisoners inhabit their spaces determines their behaviour in them and their ability to socialise post imprisonment. The restriction of movement and constant supervision impede on the prisoners’ ability towards decision making by not giving them the opportunity to make the right choice in situations. Success with philosophy of rehabilitation can be achieved when the correctional administrators and prisoners are in harmony with the physical setting of the correctional institution. Whilst the New Generation Prison has been in effect international since 1984, they have just been recently constructed in South Africa and are still remote in comparison to the Old Generation Prisons.
Even with the new generation prison approach there has been a high number of recidivists within the correctional services. Recidivism is not only regarded as a failure on the prisons built form but the individual to use the opportunities to reform whilst in prison, through their response to them, in order to become better citizens.
The South African Prison system has taken precedent from the USA Penal system and England’s Prison system design. Their developments have set precedent for the design of the South African Correctional Services which has built new generation prisons similar to those in the USA and England. The New Generation prisons are found along the peripheries outside of the major cities. This makes the prisoners opt to be imprisoned in the old generation prisons in the urban areas for better access for their families. It is important to note that whilst there is the New Generation prisons approach within the correctional system. The difference in economies between South
57 Africa, USA and England produce a varying level of criminals. The literacy levels in England and USA are higher and there is a greater opportunity for a prisoner to come out with a higher level of skills, a higher education level and with a greater ability to find work than in South Africa. The crimes that are committed in USA and England differ from that of South Africa. South Africa because of its inherited past, the crimes are much more violent and there is a larger percentage of heinous crimes thus a tougher prisoner and ex-prisoner. The literacy levels are low amongst the big population groups of prisoners in prison. It is often harder to find work in South Africa amongst free citizens thus making it harder for ex-prisoners to be able to find work. The built form of the three (3) countries differs though similar in function and general principles of design.
The design of the new generation prison is an ideal resolution to the old generation prison design. The department of correctional services published a white paper in 2005 on the new direction in which the correctional services would function to accompany the new design. The issues that face the correctional services are not only based within the built form of the prison environment but outside of it. The gangs still manage to infiltrate their influence within the new generation prisons which continues to cause a deterrent amongst rehabilitation process. The prison environment is closed to the community for security purposes thus still having it be separate institution.
Once the prisoner is released they are still faced with the challenges of fulfilling their role in the community, family and struggle to find work.
The genius loci allows for an architectural built form to be interpreted positively by its users. The place where the built form is constructed has a direct correlation with how its users will interpret the space and their use. Nature plays an important role in the genius loci as it is the balance between natural elements and physical built form that interprets the meaning. Thus having a rehabilitation facility that is in tune with its setting promotes better usability and intern yields a positive result with the people occupying that place.
The psychological effect colour, light and texture has on a built form plays an integral part on the user within that space. Without these elements the building or space conjures up images of an institution which impede on rehabilitation facilities.
Flexibility of within the built form allows the structure to accommodate the ex
58 changing methods of rehabilitating a person. Through careful planning and designing the literature has shown that buildings can be self sustainable. The sustainable building determines its usability and flexibility of use in the future. An investigation has yielded methods in which technologies can be employed to create sustainable and meaningful architectural built forms. The analysis indicates how the elements within the built form can be used simultaneously to have a positive impact on the buildings functions, usability and play a positive psychological impact on the user.
The research has revealed that the spatial allocation, interaction and usability can be impeded by inadequate natural light and selection of colors and textures to support the functions. Living on earth where there are environmental issues that affect the way of life, the manner in which buildings are constructed is important for their future sustainability. The next chapter of the research will analyse rehabilitation facilities that have been built internationally to gauge their advancement in rehabilitation.
Further to gauge see how they have incorporated the principles that have been discussed in this chapter.
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CHAPTER FOUR:
PLACES OF NEW BEGININGS AND HEALING ENVIRONMENTS60