Rehab City Seminar and Discussion

Rehab City challenges the very premise of the traditional correctional facility, proposing a new architectural model where every square foot of building and landscape is designed to prepare residents for a successful return to civil society. In this 20-minute presentation followed by open discussion, architect Stanley Hallet introduces a comprehensive vision for a restorative justice campus that redefines the relationship between security, dignity, and opportunity. Internationally presented at the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and nationally at the American Correctional Association (ACA), the project has sparked dialogue among correctional leaders and policymakers.

At its core, Rehab City replaces large, impersonal cell blocks with small-scale residential floors of 14 single rooms, fostering safety, community, and accountability. Advanced technology streamlines operations, reducing time spent on manual counts and increasing time available for education, vocational training, and reentry preparation. Sustainable systems, including solar energy and integrated food production, create both environmental responsibility and economic efficiency.

The campus model extends beyond housing to include agricultural production, on-site restaurants, a token-based work economy, and meaningful job training that builds real-world skills. A secure but separate hotel supports family reunification, transforming visitation into a normalized and restorative experience. A central “Main Street” brings essential services—such as employment assistance, social services, and community organizations—onto the campus, embedding reentry support into daily life rather than postponing it until release.

Rehab City offers a bold, hopeful alternative to conventional Pr*son design—one that aligns architecture, operations, and social purpose in pursuit of reduced recidivism and safer communities.

More details here https://dcarchcenter.org/event/rehab-city-seminar-and-discussion

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Host or Publisher District Architecture Center