The project explores how nature-based and people-focused design principles can improve wellbeing, support rehabilitation, and create more humane custodial spaces. Integrating ecological design, restorative and trauma-informed environments, and social value, this project challenges traditional听perceptions听of prison landscapes.鈥疶his project is supported through an AHRC-funded Design Exchange Partnership,听led by听笔谤辞蹿别蝉蝉辞谤听Dominique Moran听补苍诲听Professor Jon Sadler听补迟听UoB, the Ministry of Justice, the Scottish Prison Service and Kier.听听
As听the听research听fellow听on the project,听Emma听Widopp鈥�brings听her ongoing听research听on听empathetic placemaking听补苍诲听extensive practice experience of听landscape design into the project,听demonstrating听how landscape architecture can play a vital role in shaping healthier, more sustainable, and more hopeful spaces within the prison estate.鈥�The book听developed听from this project听titled鈥�"Design Principles for Prison Landscapes: Security, Biodiversity, and Wellbeing,鈥�"听offers听a universal framework for designers, decision-makers, and professionals involved in the planning, operation, and maintenance of prisons.听The principles are available for download at鈥�. The book has also been translated into French.听
If you wish to know more about the project or discuss about potential collaboration, please contact听Emma Widopp听Emma.Widdop@bcu.ac.uk.听听
Publications听补苍诲 Media:
Widdop, E.C., Moran,听D.听补苍诲 Sadler, J. (2025) Design principles for prison landscapes: Security,听biodiversity听补苍诲 wellbeing. Birmingham: University of Birmingham.听
Widdop, E.C., Moran, D. and Sadler, J. (in press)听Principes de conception听辫补测蝉补驳猫谤别听en听milieu听肠补谤肠茅谤补濒:听厂茅肠耻谤颈迟茅,听产颈辞诲颈惫别谤蝉颈迟茅听et bien-锚迟谤别听(Translated title:听Design principles for prison landscapes: Security,听biodiversity听补苍诲 wellbeing). University of Birmingham.听
Moran, D. and Widdop, E. (2025)听Rethinking prison landscapes: Why green space must be central to penal reform. Penal Reform International Blog, 2 December. Available at:听听(Accessed: 16 March 2026).听