Article 6: Greenspace and Wellbeing in Custodial Environments

This paper examines the relationship between greenspace and wellbeing in correctional environments, tracing the development of an evidence base that now supports its inclusion in prison design and policy. Research has long demonstrated the health and psychological benefits of nature exposure in community settings such as hospitals and schools, yet prisons have historically lagged behind in applying this knowledge. Early empirical work in prisons identified lower stress-related illness among prisoners with natural views, initiating a research trajectory that connects greenspace to improved wellbeing outcomes. Subsequent qualitative and mixed-method studies have explored horticultural and green-skills programs, reporting consistent benefits including reduced anxiety and depression, enhanced mood, self-efficacy, and social connection. Despite operational and conceptual barriers - cost, security, and perceived public opposition—recent large-scale analyses have transformed the field. Using GIS mapping and national administrative data, recent work has demonstrated statistically significant associations between the extent of prison greenspace and reduced self-harm and violence, findings corroborated by further research linking biodiversity and environmental quality to improved outcomes. Collectively, this growing body of evidence identifies greenspace as a credible, low-cost intervention with multi-pathway benefits for prisoner wellbeing, and institutional staffing and safety. Building on this foundation, the paper presents the Design Principles for Prison Landscapes: Security, Biodiversity and Wellbeing, developed collaboratively with landscape and ecological specialists. These guidelines translate research into actionable design strategies that integrate securitycompatible planting, biodiversity enhancement, and microclimate management while maintaining visibility and control. The principles align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Nelson Mandela Rules, bridging research and practice. Overall, the paper argues that well-designed prison greenspaces enhance security, rehabilitation, and environmental performance simultaneously, reframing nature not as an aesthetic feature in custodial environments, but as an essential component of humane, evidence-based design.