NCJ Number
64808
Date Published
1977
Length
63 pages
Annotation
THE PHYSICAL DESIGN OF THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER WAS ASSESSED IN TERMS OF THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE CENTER'S PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT MET THE GOALS ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED BY ITS PLANNERS AND DESIGNERS.
Abstract
DATA WERE COLLECTED FROM INTERVIEWS WITH ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS AND WITH INMATES AND CORRECTIONS STAFF, AS WELL AS FROM OBSERVATIONS. THE CENTER WAS SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING SEVERAL OF ITS PRIMARY GOALS. IT WAS GENERALLY SEEN BY STAFF AND RESIDENTS TO BE AN ATTRACTIVE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT UNLIKE STANDARD CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. LIVING AREAS GENERALLY AFFORDED A GOOD DEAL OF PRIVACY, LITTLE VANDALISM, THEFT, OR VIOLENCE HAD OCCURRED AT THE FACILITY. HOWEVER, MOST STAFF AND RESIDENTS FELT THAT FACILITIES FOR RECREATION AND FRESH AIR ACCESS WERE INADEQUATE. RESIDENTS FELT THAT THE LIVING UNIT WAS MONOTONOUS AND CONFINING, AND OFFICERS FELT SOMEWHAT ISOLATED IN THE LIVING UNITS AND WERE GENERALLY DISSATISFIED WITH EFFICIENCY OF THE ELEVATOR AND LOCKING SYSTEMS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CENTER FOCUSING ON TRAFFIC FLOW, LIVING UNIT IMPROVEMENT, RECREATION, THE INTAKE AREA, VISITING ROOMS AND OFFICE AREAS ARE GIVEN. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN ARE ALSO PROVIDED. FIVE REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. APPENDICES INCLUDE GRAPHS AND TABULAR DATA, AN EVALUATION OF THE CENTER'S COMPUTERIZED LOCKING SYSTEM, A LIST OF DESIGN OVERSIGHTS, AND A DISCUSSION OF NOISE REDUCTION AT THE CENTER. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)