Bringing light to prison design
Urrutia-Moldes, A. 2024. Bringing light to prison design. Innovative Prisons Infrastructure Conference (IPIC). Istanbul, Türkiye 24 - 26 Apr 2024 International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA).
| Title | Bringing light to prison design |
|---|---|
| Authors | Urrutia-Moldes, A. |
| Type | Conference paper |
| Abstract | This paper addresses the overlooked yet critical impact of lighting conditions on inmate and staff well-being in prison settings, providing actionable insights for prison designers. Drawing from established research in environmental psychology, it emphasizes light's role in influencing mood, cognition, and behaviour. Highlighting the biological connection between light and psycho-biological performance, discovered in 2002, the study underscores the need for tailored lighting solutions in prisons. It critiques existing norms, emphasizing the prevalence of suboptimal artificial lighting and the oversight of circadian needs. Preliminary data from a Chilean prison exemplifies insufficient natural light. The findings stress the importance of nuanced lighting design, urging consideration for illuminance, spectral composition, and timing to enhance inmate rehabilitation and psychological outcomes. |
| Keywords | Light |
| daylight | |
| Circadian rhythm | |
| Prison design | |
| Health and well-being | |
| Year | 2024 |
| Conference | Innovative Prisons Infrastructure Conference (IPIC) |
| Publisher | International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) |
| Accepted author manuscript | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |