Design, Context, and Impact: Insights from Redesigned Prison Units Across Eight Facilities in the United States (PID036)

2.30pm – 3pm WEST, 23 April 2026 ‐ 30 mins

Room: Figuier

Parallel Workshops

Restoring Promise partners with correctional agencies in the United States to redesign housing units for young adults that are grounded in dignity. This presentation examines redesigned housing units across eight correctional facilities of varying custody levels and resources in the United States. Using a systematic environmental inventory, the Restoring Promise research team analyzed how design features such as layout, material improvements, and overall units’ upkeep interact with indicators of safety and well-being. Facility and unit level visuals and descriptions provide context for understanding how unit design efforts are impacted by diverse correctional settings. Findings offer practical insights into how prison context shapes unit design, how innovation occurs within constrained and resource limited environments, and whether and how the physical design of space can meaningfully affect the safety, wellbeing, and daily experiences of those who live and work in prison.