The current British prison system is widely regarded as a system of failure, evidenced by extremely high re-offending rates.
It's clear that within the justice system something is amiss.
I firstly asked myself 'what do we expect from prisons', are they to punish or reform behaviour?
Research suggested rehabilitation is more effective than punishment and has an enhanced effect on society when inmates are dismissed due to better social integration whilst in prison.

My scheme intends to create a place that convicted criminals can volunteer or get assigned to attend either short or long term. When a prisoner arrives they will be assessed by phycologists in the assessment centre and assigned a programme of activities to attend tailored to their individual needs intended to reform past behaviour and prevent re-offending.
I aim to provide safe, secure areas containing a number of different rehabilitation processes ranging from communal gym areas through to solo interview rooms and repetitive conditioning supplying a broad range of rehabilitation processes catering for every inmate.

The centre will cater for category C and D prisoners, the lowest two bands in term of security level. Prison accommodation is segregated into four areas defined by social integration level, ranging from solo accommodation to communal living.  This aims to induce a strong sense of progression for the inmates encouraging good behaviour and social integration.

A major weakness of the prison system is segregation from normal civic life often having consequences when inmates are released, especially for long serving criminals.
I am therefore proposing a building that integrates closely the everyday life of both inmates and the general public.
Located at the heart of Liverpool's city centre the building is in a prime location for passing public footfall as well as providing inmates with the animation of a busy 'everyday' street.
There will be many areas where both public and criminal interact.
To overcome any hesitation and unwillingness of the public to enter the building and interact with inmates on an everyday basis I have included a number of enticement strategies including activities such as restaurants, gyms and performance theatres accumulating in a rooftop lookout tower.
These will help draw public up through the building increasing interaction and decreasing social deprivation for the inmates.

The whole process an movements of public and criminals will be controlled and run by 'Sacristians' who are essentially building managers and also supply anomalous confession areas for anyone using the building.

Environmental anaylsis and Construction