Once you receive a long-term prison sentence or even a year in county jail, your life becomes dictated by others. Nearly every aspect of your life is controlled, including what you eat, wear, where you live, and how you spend your time.
Incarceration can bring various housing situations, determined by the type of crime you committed and whether you are in a state or federal facility. Inmates have no control over the housing styles they are assigned to, with variations in shared and private cells or rooms.
Although housing styles differ greatly, inmates do not have a say in the type of cell or room they end up in. Therefore, the question arises as to whether prisoners prefer to share their cell or have a private one.
The answer varies depending on the individual. While some inmates enjoy sharing a cell because it provides social interaction and companionship, others find it challenging and prefer to have a cell to themselves. Private cells offer a sense of control and privacy, which can be vital for some individuals to cope with their sentence.
In today’s blog post, I will cover the following topics:
- Does prison architecture matter?
- Most inmates prefer to share a cell
- Different prison housing styles
Does prison architecture matter?
Surprisingly, research indicates that the design of prisons and inmate housing plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation process. When inmates are frequently monitored and isolated, their psychological distress and tension can increase.
In contrast, prisons that offer more social interactions with other inmates and staff, open housing floor plans, no bars, and dayroom access, have shown a decrease in prisoner misconduct and mental health problems. Karin Beijersbergen, a researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, believes that good staff-prisoner relationships are essential for safety and manageability in prisons.
Beijersbergen suggests that more prison architects should focus on the impact of their buildings on the lives of inmates, rather than solely focusing on aesthetics or security. Her study, published in Crime & Delinquency, concludes that building styles, floor plans, and design features have a significant impact on how inmates perceive their relationships with prison staff and other inmates.
Research highlights the importance of designing prisons with inmate well-being in mind to facilitate rehabilitation and reduce recidivism rates. The architecture of a prison can impact an inmate’s mental health and behavior, making it crucial to consider the design and layout of correctional facilities.
Most inmates prefer to share a cell
The answer to whether inmates prefer to share a cell or have one to themselves varies based on personal preference and context. Sharing a cell can be beneficial for inmates who lack freedom of movement as they have someone to talk to. However, if an inmate is paired with a bad cellmate, it can be a nightmare.
During their time in prison, the author had numerous cellmates and found that some were great, and they became close friends, while others were loud, rude, and violent or snored. Generally, most people prefer to share a cell with someone they get along with rather than be alone, as isolation can be mentally torturous.
Interestingly, inmates who preferred having a cell to themselves were typically lifers who would never leave prison. They considered their cell as their home and preferred their own space since they were free to move around the housing unit daily.
It is crucial to consider the context and individual circumstances when determining an inmate’s preference for cell sharing. However, it is essential to note that social interaction is crucial for an inmate’s mental health and well-being, and prison design should take this into account.
Different prison housing styles
When it comes to jail and prison cells, what most people have seen on TV is not entirely accurate. In fact, traditional jail cells with bars and a key to open the door are rare nowadays. These types of cells are mostly found in older prisons built before the 1970s, such as the ones you might see in classic movies like The Shawshank Redemption. They feature barred cells that can hold one or two inmates and are often locked in their cells for the majority of each day. However, modern facilities built after the 1970s were designed with a different inmate management model that allows more interaction among inmates and between inmates and staff.
In these newer facilities, you will often find dormitory-style inmate housing. This can take the form of a large open room with multiple bunk beds, sometimes divided up into cubicles with half-walls. It can also resemble college dormitory housing, as was the case in the women’s prison where the author of this piece was placed. There, there were two levels with 12 rooms each, and each room held six inmates. Each level had a common shower and bathroom, plus a dayroom. The inmates had keys to their rooms, and they had regular doors. The rooms were kept open all day long, and inmates were free to move around in the housing unit.
Generally speaking, the more restrictive housing units and styles with single cells are found in maximum-security level prisons. In these types of facilities, you are more likely to be placed in a single cell or double cell. Conversely, the dormitory styles are for lower-security facilities. In these lower-security housing units, you could be in a room with up to 50 people or more.
Regardless of the type of housing unit you are in, one thing is certain: privacy is a luxury unless you are placed in solitary confinement. As the author notes, being alone for too long can be torture. In fact, studies have shown that isolation and constant surveillance can lead to increased psychological distress. Conversely, more interaction with other inmates and prison staff, as is the case in open housing floor plans with no bars and dayroom access, can lead to less prisoner misconduct and fewer mental health problems.
Ultimately, the design and style of a prison can have a significant impact on the way inmates perceive their relationships with prison staff and other inmates. Good staff-prisoner relationships are important for manageability and safety in prisons. This is something that more prison architects should take into account when designing new facilities. Instead of focusing solely on aesthetics or security, architects need to consider how their buildings can affect the lives of their residents. After all, as the author notes, when you are sentenced to a long-term prison sentence, your life is no longer in your own hands, and just about everything in your life is decided for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all prison cells the same?
No, prison cells can vary widely depending on the facility and its age. Some older prisons have cell blocks with barred cells that can hold one or two inmates, while newer facilities may have dormitory-style housing with bunk beds in an open room.
Do inmates have any say in their housing assignment?
Generally, inmates do not have any say in their housing assignment. Housing assignments are based on the crime the inmate was convicted of and whether they are in a state or federal facility.
Do inmates prefer to share a cell or have one all to themselves?
This varies depending on the inmate. Some prefer to share a cell for companionship and to have someone to talk to, while others prefer to have a cell to themselves for privacy and personal space.
Does prison architecture and housing style affect inmate behavior?
Yes, research shows that prison architecture and housing style can have a significant impact on inmate behavior and rehabilitation. When inmates have more interactions with other inmates and prison staff, there is less prisoner misconduct and less mental health problems.
Can inmates have any privacy in their cells?
Privacy is generally a luxury for inmates, unless they are placed in solitary confinement. Inmates may have a small amount of personal space in their cells, but they are often subject to frequent checks by staff and may have to share the space with another inmate.
Conclusion
Whether inmates prefer to share a cell or have one all to themselves is subjective and depends on individual circumstances. The type of housing unit, the personality of the cellmate, and the level of freedom of movement can all play a role in an inmate’s preference.
Research shows that housing styles and design features have a significant impact on inmate behavior and mental health. Inmates who have more interactions with other inmates and prison staff have less mental health problems and are less likely to engage in misconduct.
It is crucial for prison architects to understand how their buildings can affect the lives of inmates, and focus not just on aesthetics or security, but also on promoting positive staff-prisoner relationships and mental well-being.
