THE

Origin Of The Halfway House

It is common knowledge that prison life is undesirable, but many do not stop and think about the lives of people postincarceration. Where do they live? Do they have a family to take them in? Do they have any money in the bank? Do they have insurance or access to healthcare? How do they get a job with a record? The list of basic needs can go on and on, and most prisoners are released with nowhere to go and little idea of how to put the pieces of their lives back together. The halfway house is a place in which people can live while they enter a new phase of life. Halfway Houses, or transitional housing, originated in the 1950s and are a common starting point for recently released inmates that do not have a place to live when rejoining society (Conway and Ruffin). It is also a popular source of shelter for people suffering from addiction and looking for treatment and sober living conditions. “Traditionally and contemporarily, halfway houses are not always welcomed in neighborhoods, as local community members often fear an increase in crime. Few studies have provided data on the impact halfway houses make on communities, however” (Conway and Ruffin). In other words, halfway houses may have a bad reputation, but one cannot deny that they are instrumental in lowering crime and recidivism rates. The term halfway house can refer to a variety of facilities but my main focus will be one in relation to the criminal justice system.

100%

OF RELEASED PEOPLE ARE INELIGIBLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF PUBLIC BENEFITS & HOUSING.

83% 74%

OF RELEASED PEOPLE REOFFEND WITHIN NINE YEARS. OF U.S. PRISONERS REPORTED NOT RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

37%

OF RELEASED PEOPLE REPORTED HAVING NOWHERE TO LIVE.

44%

OF U.S. PRISONERS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

Design Catalysts

My goal for my thesis project is to improve the lives of recently released inmates and assist in their reintroduction to society. I plan to do this by improving upon the halfway house and designing a rehabilitation facility for post-incarcerated people. This would be a facility in which this specific user group could stay for short periods while they get back on their feet. This facility would provide affordable housing while assisting in other vital parts of rehabilitation, including required therapy and guidance, job placement assistance, and drug abuse treatment if necessary. Prison can wreak havoc on an individual’s mental and physical health, making it much harder for an inmate to be successful post-incarceration. A place in which recently released inmates can go for shelter and support could greatly lower rates of recidivism in the United States. Not all inmates have a home to return to upon release from prison and many do not have the resources or funds available to rent or find housing. The facility I plan to design will serve as transitional housing and assist in finding more a permanent home. Moreover, the program of the facility will include a therapy center to try and help unpack the trauma of prison life. It will also house a center for job search and placement. Many recently released inmates struggle to find work when they re-enter society and could use assistance in finding a stable job to support themselves. For necessary inhabitants, prisoners with drug abuse issues will be required to participate in drug abuse treatment and detoxification. This would then add a clinic or health care center to the program of the facility. For each of these programs to function successfully the design of the facility must foster a nurturing environment for its inhabitants. I plan to do this through a combination of biophilic and sensory design.

Biophilic Design Theory

Biophilic design is a theory I would like to include throughout my rehabilitation facility to create a sanctuary in which inhabitants can feel comfortable and relaxed. “Biophilia is the inherent human inclination to affiliate with nature that even in the modern world continues to be critical to people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing” (Kellert, Heerwagen and Mador). Biophilic design theory takes this concept and applies it to the built environment. According to Stephen R. Kellert, a pioneer of biophilic design, there are multiple ways to incorporate the theory within the built environment. Features of the biophilic design include the use of natural colors and materials, facade greening, inclusion of water, fire, and animals or animal features, natural ventilation and light, views of nature, and a connection with the landscape and surrounding ecosystem. Many of these features are or can be enhanced by sensory design theory. “Biophilic design has been found to support cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being” (McCain). The inclusion of biophilic design increases overall wellness and productivity, something all inhabitants, not just recently released inmates, would benefit massively from.