“Sometimes I feel like going to prison is like a different planet altogether,” said Dr. Sim. “These individuals in a prison setting … one day, they are going to come back out and be part of a community. If they’ve been in a prison setting for many years, they do not know how to have meaningful relationships with ‘normal’ people … I think the community needs to understand that this is very, very difficult for them.”
In a groundbreaking exploration of corrections reform, this article highlights how neuroscience and thoughtful facility design are reshaping the future of incarceration. Through insights from Dr. Jeff Sim—a clinical psychologist and expert in brain development—the piece reveals how early childhood trauma and disrupted neurological milestones contribute to destructive behaviors and recidivism. By integrating trauma-informed environments, therapeutic programming, and community engagement, architects and corrections leaders are reimagining prisons as spaces for healing and rehabilitation. The emerging “North Dakota Model” exemplifies this shift, emphasizing normalcy, dynamic security, and staff wellness as pillars of lasting public safety
Check out the whole article here: How brain science is reshaping corrections design
