"A Prison within a Prison”?: Examining the enfolding spatialities of care and control in the Barlinnie Special Unit

McGeachan, C. (2019) "A Prison within a Prison”?: Examining the enfolding spatialities of care and control in the Barlinnie Special Unit. Area, 51(2), pp. 200-207. (doi: 10.1111/area.12447)

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Abstract

This paper uses one of Scotland's most controversial experiments in penal reform – the Barlinnie Special Unit – to examine the enfolding nature of care and control in carceral space. Connecting with recent arguments relating to “caring architecture” and using the framework of historical carceral geographies, it showcases the spatial complexities of implementing caring practices alongside reforming tactics. Beginning with a discussion of the care and control nexus within institutional spaces and its historical legacy, it considers the use of small units within the Scottish Prison System. Using the Barlinnie Special Unit as a pivot, the paper opens up the complex spatial arrangements and spatial tactics of experimental prison reform. It first examines the spatial and architectural dimensions of the Special Unit. Second, the paper focuses on issues of routine and inhabitation and the emotional uncertainty this generated for prisoners. Overall, this paper seeks to argue the importance of examining experimental spatial practices in prison reform history to highlight the interwoven spatialities of care and control in every‐day institutional life.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Funding information: British Academy, Grant/Award Number: SG132591.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McGeachan, Dr Cheryl
Authors: McGeachan, C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Journal Name:Area
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0004-0894
ISSN (Online):1475-4762
Published Online:07 May 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers)
First Published:First published in Area 51:200-207
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
630871A Tapestry of Tales: Investigating the Historical Geographies of Art Therapy and the 'Art Extraordinary' in Scotland (1950 - 1980)Cheryl McGeachanBritish Academy (BRITACAD)SG132591SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHICAL & EARTH SCIENCES