Tussen vier muren : ontwerp van de individuele cel in 'de Ducpétiaux-gevangenis'

Abstract

In the wake of penitentiary reform in the Western world, Belgium established a network of nearly thirty cellular prisons between 1844 and 1919. For the infrastructural design of the cellular prison system, Inspector General of Prisons Edouard Ducpetiaux propagated a quite literal adoption of the English prison model, as realized in the design of Pentonville prison (1842). This model prison would significantly influence prison design on the Continent throughout the nineteenth century. In terms of both layout and technical facilities, Pentonville proved to be the shining example for the Belgian prison construction campaign as well. Relying on the Pentonville model, the Ministry of Justice communicated through circulars on furnishing and materials to be applied in order to standardize cells in all Belgian prisons. Hygiene and well-being of the detainees were considered essential. The layout and furnishings of the single cell were not fundamentally revised until after WWII.