This site is focused on the future of Prisons and Prison Systems and encouraging thought around the design and design process.
Although there is significant opportunity to improve systems and services within existing prisons even if in the long term, these outdated structures should be replaced with better modern prisons.
The aim of this work is to encourage further thinking around Prison and Prison System design – looking at all areas of the Prison System; from fiscal management to service delivery and prisoner routines.
More Prisons are going to be built, and as we build them, it is important that there is more emphasis on the design process to take in to account more than cell numbers, security specifications and site constraints.
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The general views on this site are based around the following;
- If Prisons and Prison Systems are well designed and well managed it can significantly reduce reoffending
- The public will not accept Prisons that are not Prisons in a traditional sense and for that reason politicians will not propose such designs to the UK voter base; we need to design prisons that are Prisons in a traditional sense on the face of things while being very progressive in every other way; this is a constraint of our times which may change over the coming decades
- The design of the physical architecture and super structure needs to be designed in conjunction with all the systems that operate within; structure and physical design changes coupled with system changes can cause large knock-on effects that alter core design and management constraints
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We are interested in talking to… anyone working in the prison space, this might be charities or other organisations, politicians, journalists, wardens, ex-prisoners, prison staff, students, or just about anyone who is working towards trying to improve the effectiveness of prisons.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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About Nathan Murphy

This site has been set up by myself; Nathan Murphy. I am an Industrial Designer by background and also have interests in Digital Technology, Healthcare and Prison and Prison System design. I am passionate about the difference good design and good design process can make within prisons.
I have a talent for innovation for systems, services and products. A strong understanding of engineering, manufacture and cutting-edge technologies allows me to develop or redesign systems and services with many different options in mind for improvements in efficiency while a good understanding of business keep things realistic.
You can find out more about me here.
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Copyright
All content is Copyright of Nathan Murphy 2009. Reproduction or use of extracts of this work require written permission.
Saul Hewish 3:31 pm on September 16, 2010 Permalink |
Nathan,
Stumbled across your blog today and was very impressed. the company I work for, Rideout, ran a design project in a prison some years ago called The Creative Prison and we share many similar ideas. Not sure if you are UK based but we are running a project very soon entitled GOTOJAIL – The Cell Project which involves the building of a replica of a prison cell in a shopping centre. Part of the reason for doing this is to engage members of the public about the current issues in relation to imprisonment.
http://www.gotojail.info
http://www.rideout.org.uk
If you would like further info, please let me know.
Regards
Saul
Matthew Lafrienre 2:42 pm on January 12, 2012 Permalink |
I came accross your blog searching for material on prison design and architecture. The role that prison design plays on the daily lives of inmates and their relationship to the correctional officers is huge. I wrote a few papers on prison design and architecture througout college but unfortunately did not pursue it more. I would like to get more information from you on this subject if possible.
Thanks.
Nathan Murphy 2:43 pm on January 12, 2012 Permalink |
Sure – what sort of information are you looking for?