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The Academy of Architecture for Justice (AAJ) promotes and fosters the exchange of information and knowledge between members, professional organizations, and the public for high-quality planning, design, and delivery of justice architecture.

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Interesting article on European lessons in corrections

  • 1.  Interesting article on European lessons in corrections

    Posted 11-16-2013 11:10 AM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Public Architects Committee and Academy of Architecture for Justice .
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    Very interesting report from a US visit to Germany and Netherlands to learn from their significantly more normative approach to corrections.  Check it out!

    http://www.vera.org/pubs/sentencing-prison-germany-netherlands

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    Elizabeth Minnis AIA
    Division of Capital Asset Management
    Boston MA
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  • 2.  RE:Interesting article on European lessons in corrections

    Posted 11-26-2013 02:20 PM
    I just read the report and it is excellent. To me, it demonstrates that the ultimate outcome of orienting a criminal justice system towards "normalization" and reentry is a much smaller incarceration rate and a much greater use of community sanctions.
    It also notes that solitary confinement is virtually never used in these countries, implying that very little space is provided for it:
    • Solitary confinement-the most severe disciplinary action-is used rarely and only for brief periods of time. At Waldeck Prison, solitary confinement reportedly was used two-to-three times in the past year, while Neustrelitz Prison had utilized its segregation cell twice in five years, and only for a few hours each time. (p. 13)
    • both systems rarely use solitary confinement when responding to offender behavior, and only use it for very short periods-a few hours or days. This policy implicitly recognizes the deleterious impact lengthy segregation can have on an individual and acknowledges that there are better, more humane ways to respond to rule-breaking within prison. There are other tools that can be used to manage behavior in prison and alternative sanctions for disciplinary violations (such as restricted movement in their current housing unit and reduction in other privileges) may be more effective. (p. 18)
    You can find also find a useful journalistic summary at http://www.theatlanticcities.com/politics/2013/11/why-america-has-mass-incarceration-problem-while-germany-and-netherlands-dont/7553/

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    Raphael Sperry AIA
    ADPSR
    San Francisco CA

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