home

Architects Organize Boycott of Prison Design

By Jeralyn, Section Inmates and Prisons
Posted on Wed Mar 23, 2005 at 08:57:44 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

Is an execution chamber just another room? Some architects don't think so. In September, 2004, they initiated a boycott of prison design. Lux Lotus has an interview with architect and boycott supporter Raphael Sperry.[Via Alternet's Peek.]

< Right Talk vs. Rights Talk, TalkRights | Jackson Prosecution Witness Jailed in Las Vegas >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Architects Organize Boycott of Prison Design | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: Architects Organize Boycott of Prison Design (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 24, 2005 at 08:03:55 AM EST
    Prison design, like airport design, parking structure design, and the like, is done by a small number of specialist architecture firms that know how to deal with the complex requirements of the job. The people behind this boycott couldn't get a prison commission if their lives depended on it, so the boycott is just a silly pubicity stunt.

    Re: Architects Organize Boycott of Prison Design (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 24, 2005 at 09:39:41 AM EST
    I agree with Stephen that architects who do prisons are specialized and unlikely to participate in this boycott. However, that does not make this is a publicity stunt, any more than the fact that the students who initiated the boycott of investing in apartheid South African had no personal investments there themselves made that one. The boycott is an important opportunity for architects to help raise awareness of a major national issue in social justice, and to develop ethical leadership by our profession by doing so. I hope critics like Stephen will take the time to educate themselves about prison issues, for instance by reading ADPSR's material about the prison boycott at www.adpsr.org/prisons/intro.htm, before rejecting the entire concept.

    Re: Architects Organize Boycott of Prison Design (none / 0) (#3)
    by Che's Lounge on Thu Mar 24, 2005 at 09:58:29 AM EST
    Mr. Sperry, Bravo. Many people can see your arguement. It's universal.

    Re: Architects Organize Boycott of Prison Design (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 24, 2005 at 11:57:03 AM EST
    Good.

    Re: Architects Organize Boycott of Prison Design (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Mar 24, 2005 at 05:02:19 PM EST
    Lawyers need to follow suit. Lawyers in death cases are just helping the state to kill. Don't do it.

    Architects Organize Boycott of Prison Design | 5 comments (5 topical)