Article 10: Prison Conditions, Wellbeing and Reintegration: European Perspectives and Avenues for Change

Prisons are widely recognized as stressful environments that negatively affect the wellbeing of incarcerated individuals and increase risks of reoffending compared to non-custodial sanctions. Yet, not all prisons exert the same effects. Research demonstrates that variations in prison conditions are linked to differences in wellbeing and reintegration prospects. The concept of prison climate provides a useful lens to examine how institutional practices, social relations, and material conditions shape these outcomes. In addition, attention to ethical architecture underscores how the physical environment can support or undermine wellbeing. Understanding and addressing differences in prison conditions therefore offers concrete opportunities to reduce carceral harm.