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The transition from inhumane treatment and punishment to the pursuit of humanitarianism in Western society has evolved into a set of modern international shared values, influencing our country’s contemporary correctional philosophy. The symbolism and exercise of authority is reflected via the interaction between prison architecture and correctional theories. Prison architecture bears an inherent negativism that, in carving out the city landscape and perimeter, creates a separation and darkness that materialize a sort of imagination and twilight zone in the cityscape. While a society needs an effective means of incarcerating criminal elements in order to enforce a government’s authority, prison architecture’s presence in urban scenary and city living still instill fear and loathing in the public. This kind of moral repulsiveness creates a dilemma between the yearning for law and order on the one hand, and the feeling of alienation stemming from the authoritarian prison architecture on the other hand. Layers of prison wall can carve out a strong physical perimeter while at the same time creates a particular culture and norms within the prison space. Such enclosure can also reflect via the architectural form and function a relationship with the outside society. But the prison perimeter itself is not the only manifestation of authority space; it can have a subtle internal order, controlling the prisoners’ living arrangement and rhythm.
This thesis seeks to explore three related elements: prison’s interior space, prison architectural types, and urban location of prisons. It researches the change and evolution of prison architecture’s expression of authority and spacial relationships. By using live interviews and analytical sketching, we aim to explore the openness and enclosed nature of space and place. At the same time, we will review the exclusionary and expansionary nature of prison space. Through a literature review of Western and Eastern prison architectural development and its domestic influence, we seek to examine the intertwining relationship between prison architecture and correctional philosophy.
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