1 Third Temple - a rehabilitation and reintegration facility for parolees

Abstract

One Third Temple: The research outlines a design proposal for a typology concerned with rehabilitation using decolonization and related ideologies on potential parolees from the Krugersdorp Correctional Services Institution. The traumatic realities of incarceration can be an architectural responsibility. The project aims at providing relief and rehabilitation to offenders using the parole system as a point of access. Attention to an improved parole system would be beneficial for both the community (taxpayer) and incarcerated. A working incarceration system can save the state money while managing issues within the incarceration system such as colonization, trauma, recidivism and overcrowding. Parole is a system that helps the previously incarcerated reintegrate into society, the architecture will explore possibilities for a new model of a “pre parole system” a system that prepares approved parole applicants for parole while serving as a parole system at the same time. The building will need to incorporate themes of spirituality and integration through parole related philosophies and various concepts of therapy in design (Therapeutic Architecture). Several parole systems exist in different parts of the world, some more successful than others. The parole system in South Africa is fairly up to date regarding the fact that it was amended less than 16 years ago. A new Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 came into effect during October of 2004.This meant that rehabilitation would be the primary concern of the Correctional Services Department, however today South Africa still remains a country with an alarming amount overcrowded prisons and high levels of recidivism.