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Urban Prison Link: A New, Urban Prison Typology

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Abstract
The United States has the highest incarceration rate of juveniles in the world, with over twenty- five thousand people under the age of 18 currently held in detention centers (Rovner 2023). While there has been a steady decline in this incarceration rate during the past twenty years, the juvenile recidivism rates remain at 76% within three years and 84% within five years (National Trends in Juvenile Justice,2013). While many factors contribute to this situation, the architecture of the detention centers plays a significant role in driving this recidivism (Tobon, 2022). Traditional prison typologies remain isolated, fortress-like structures that often exacerbate the issues they are meant to address. This thesis advocates for a transformative shift in the spatial and programmatic design of juvenile detention centres. The focus on urban prisons stems from the need to address space constraints and enhance operational efficiency within densely populated areas with keeping integration both externally and internally intact. By exploring the stack as a programmatic and spatial system, we aim to maximize vertical space utilization while ensuring effective functionality and workflow. Drawing insights from innovative approaches implemented in various countries, such as Norway's emphasis on restorative justice and community integration as well as the history of urban prison and detention center design, this thesis will explore the new typologies for urban juvenile detention centers in the United States. While the Norwegian model provides a solid foundation, its adaptation to a vertical site necessitates strategic translation and innovative design solutions. By reimaging these facilities as integral parts of urban communities, this thesis seeks to foster the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders, ease their transition from incarceration to civilian life, contribute to the reduction of recidivism rates, and ultimately pave the way for transformative change in the criminal justice system.
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Thesis (Open Access)
Date
2024-05
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Attribution 4.0 International
License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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