Imagine a place designed not to heal but to break — where walls and bars don’t just keep people in, but keep change out. This is the reality of our prison system. Across the United States are institutions solely focused on delivering punishment rather than rehabilitating individuals back into society entirely disregarding how people will live and act due to the space around them.

For centuries prisons were built for control and containment; visually fortress-like structures meant to isolate inmates. Take Alcatraz, located off the coast of San Francisco, as an example. This notorious prison featured cold, concrete walls and barred windows designed to instill fear and maintain a barrier between inmates and the outside world. This harsh design contributed to the dehumanization of prisoners and made it hard for them to change their lives, often leading to a cycle of reoffending.

Modern American prisons, though more sophisticated in their design, often continue to reinforce outdated ideas. Many facilities are characterized by high-security, unpleasant structures, with monotonous and bleak interiors. These environments “establish an ‘us against them’ relationship between correctional officers and the people in their custody and care.” (Nancy La Vigne, 2024) The lack of meaningful activities, personal development opportunities, and restorative justice practices keep inmates stagnant, perpetuating trauma and unhealthy behaviors and contributing to high recidivism rates according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

International models offer a glimpse of hope. Countries like Norway and Sweden have embraced prison designs that prioritize rehabilitation by incorporating elements of normal life into their facilities. The Brennan Center for Justice (BCJ) and the DOJ provide research on Norway’s Halden and Bastøy prisons which feature single cells with natural light, communal kitchens, and green spaces, creating a more humane and supportive environment. Correctional officers in these countries are trained to engage with inmates as mentors, providing guidance and support rather than merely enforcing rules. This approach, which includes education, job training, and mental health services, has resulted in lower recidivism rates and a safer, more rehabilitative prison experience.

As the youth of America, there are ways to support and advocate for these changes in prison reform. By educating ourselves and others about the benefits of humane prison environments we can prioritize rehabilitation over punishment using solutions formulated from established organizations like the BCJ, A Federal Agenda for Criminal Justice Reform. Apart from this, joining or assisting the efforts done in social justice clubs or programs available around you would advance reaching an ideal prison design. Everyone has a role in shaping a more just and effective correctional system, where prisons are designed not to break people but to build them up for successful reentry into society.