With the threat of escalating extreme temperatures and their proven adverse impact on peoples’ physical and mental health, capital investment in the thermal performance of carceral infrastructure offers an immediate and effective baseline to mitigate risk and provide humane and sustainable custodial care.
The research includes a secondary study of available literature and analysis by sustainable design specialists to establish the thermal context and performance of existing facilities, together with anecdotal evidence on the risk of extreme temperatures to prisoner behaviour, staff well-being, and operating costs. Empirical analysis of an existing facility and the proposed works to it outline the proposed design interventions that may improve thermal performance and mitigate disruptive behaviour in carceral environments.
The research and empirical data highlight the increasing need for sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure, and illustrate how improving thermal performance offers an effective practical solution to mitigating destructive behaviours and fostering a carceral environment conducive to rehabilitation.
