Architectural attributes which affect the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile correctional facilities

Abstract

The process of reintegrating juvenile delinquents to society from correctional facilities is as important as the process of rehabilitation. If the rehabilitation process is not conducted properly it would rather be difficult to control the reconvicted /recidivism rates. Hence the correctional methods must adhere to certain attributes relating to the rehabilitation process, one key aspect being the built environment of the correctional facilities. Humans by nature have an undeniable connection with their environment through physical, mental, emotional and spiritual means. This connection is what helps keep a balance within ourselves. Most of the time, unlike adults’ juvenile delinquents commit crimes without their consent. It is paramount that this is understood and they are attended with the required special attention in rehabilitation process. At stage of admission to the correctional facilities, these youngsters are more likely to be in a very weak state of mind, with the need of protection, self-value, freedom and to obtain the sense of belonginess in the society as they are reintroduced. This requires improvement of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills before leaving the correctional facility to avoid the reconviction /recidivism. The rehabilitation process influenced via architectural attributes followed at this research would be to understand level of lighting, usage of colours, enclosure of the space, outdoor-indoor relationships, level of privacy, architectural character of space and semiotics would lead to proper reintegration to the society.