Statement

This thesis explores a person’s ability to reintegrate into society after serving a complete sentence in the incarceration system. Existing prisons across the globe remain separate as entities, which creates a disconnect between those inside and those outside.  This project combats the disconnect by placing a prison in the heart of a city: Seattle, Washington. Inside is a complete set of amenities for those that occupy the building. The programs work together to create an experience that not only satisfies the level of security necessary in a prison, but also affords those inside their own personal freedoms. Random interaction is something that we take for granted. For society to acknowledge this issue, it must establish a transition back for those who have been removed and offer a second chance. 

Argument

There is a clear silent boundary between people within or associated with the incarceration system and those who are not. A driving concept of this exploration is the blurring of that boundary.  The United States recidivism rate suggests that these people don’t find success post-sentence. What I want to explore is the possibility of reintegration into society by removing the physical separation. This separation forces an unbreakable routine that destroys the random interaction that society thrives from. If random spontaneity is reintroduced, would there be an issue returning to society?