Corrections Community

I am an Interior Design Grad Student who is working on my fourth year thesis project -- a correctional ficility for young offenders. I am looking to get a broad over view of community based juvenile corrections facilities, the users (physical/emotional needs,how they think/act/feel/heal,etc), the design(security, building systems, code requirements), the programs etc I am looking to find progressive/innovative prototypes of correctional facility design as I am looking to merge these models with the theory of biophilia. Biophilia in short, is the human affinity for nature that dates back to more primitive times, when humans relied on nature to survive. The Theoretical outcome of merging the latestest approaches to community based correction facilities with biophilia, will be an institution that will truely facilitate rehabilitation; mental, physical, and emotional healing, as well as educate, inspire and motivate the user. It is a very broad subject, and I am looking to get more focused but don't know where to start Any help would be great. questions and comments welcome!

1 level, no steps! our pods are 2 level and there are 2 steps on the lower level that go down to the table area. There are also a couple steps up to the mini control on the units. These are classic places for staff injury, particularly during codes/restraints. Space to grow seems to be important as well. Our facility opened just 13 years ago and we have been staying above capacity for about 5 years. Are you familiar with institutions and the safety precautions for suicide, injury, contraband, etc.? If not, I would definitely visit a few facilities.

I am unfamiliar with most of it other than research from books! I am trying to visit facilities however it seems to be along process and no one really seems to know who i need to talk to. any suggestions?

At one time, there were quite a few of the wilderness type programs for the lower risk juvenile offenders. Then there was a swing back to more of a 'correctional' adult-type model during the '90s/early 2000's better know as the 'Get Tough on Crime' era. The current trend for facilities is smaller facilities, closer to the youth's home with more of a focus on rehabilitation, skill building, family involvement and community re-integration. Our state juvenile corrections agency is currently in the process of completely revamping the rehabilitation programs for incarcerated youth. I have a 5-page list of Research references that we used in putting our program together but I'm not sure how to get it to you through the blog. Here are some websites you can go to for information: http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/07-06-1201.pdf Evidence Based Juvenile Offender Programs… http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/06-07-1201.pdf Recidivism Findings for the Juvenile… http://www.dsgonline.com/mpg2.5/TitleV_MPG_Table_Ind_Rec.asp?id=363 OJJDP Model Programs Guide I'm intrigued by your project. If you have some basic references where I could learn more about biophilia, please let me know. I'm a nurse with background in inpatient psychiatric and both adult and juvenile corrections. What intrigues me is how the "environment' that youth (or anyone) is in impacts neurosensory integration, brain development and emotional learning and then how to help youth change positively given that the majority of them have some degree of traumatic and/or abusive background. One thing to keep in mind is how very important it is to have a safe environment. It's a challenge to ensure that there is nothing that can be made into weapons, etc. and still have an environment that isn't too institutional, and alot of that has to do with the 'culture' of the organization. Hope this helps some. Hope this helps some.