Pennsylvania System / Auburn System

　　There are different prison systems due to different locations and management systems implemented in different periods. The two most influential systems of contemporary prison system and format development are the Pennsylvania System and the Auburn System. These two types can effectively reform prisoners, so other countries began to accept these new systems from the United States.

　　Currently in Taiwan, the only prisons of this type are Chiayi Prison and Ilan Prison, with three rows of rooms; but the Ilan Prison only has one remaining row, which accentuates the completeness of preservation of the Chiayi Prison structure.

　　The other completely preserved Pennsylvania Style prison is Abashiri Prison in Japan.

Characteristics：

（The kangoku prison's）
（picture source： http://www.kangoku.jp/）

　　 In 1776, the Pennsylvania Constitution asserted the replacement of corporal punishment with incarceration, which directly led to the reform of sentencing and punishment. In 1829, one such prison was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a radiating layout of prison rooms constructed with the spirit of "absolute solitary confinement." The emphasis on solitary confinement has at the center of prison management the central guard platform. From here, the rows of prison rooms radiate outward, and each single room has a walkway that connects directly to the central guard platform.

Advantages：

　　people are separated based on age, gender, and type of crime; this type of management can decrease the usage of human resources, there are clear distinctions between areas, and it is easy to support each other, so that criminals cannot leave their rooms or talk to each other. The purpose of this is to avoid interaction, so that prisoners can truly have time for self-reflection.

Disadvantages：

　　This type of management takes more space. Rooms closer to the center of the fan-shaped layout of rooms tend to have poorer lighting and ventilation. Solitary confinement also causes psychological stress on criminals, which tends to cause personality problems or psychosis, and is less beneficial for the rehabilitation of prisoners.

（Auburn System's patterns of a new prison plan）
（picture source： Planning and Research Report on Renovation and Reuse of the Old Chiayi Prison as A Historical Monument of Chiayi City）

Characteristic：

　　Improved based on characteristics of the Pennsylvania System, and was established in New York in 1817. This type of prison structure involves single rooms in a linear form, and the cells are back to back, creating an absolutely divided space. This forms single cells in inner lines, and can be developed into wings or around courtyards.

Advantages：

　　Emphasizes order, discipline, and ethical change and teachings. It differs from the Pennsylvania System in the spirit of "contract labor," which states that the criminals can work together during the day but cannot speak to each other. At night, they remain solitary, and the prison rooms are only for resting; this is referred to as the "system of silence." This powerful form of control requires criminals to live their daily lives with stability, and reform them by promoting labor. This allows inmates to have better working environments and skills training, which increases the income for both the prison and inmates. Social living is also beneficial to the mental and physical development of prisoners.

（The plan of Old Chauyi prison）
（picture source：The Old Chiayi Prison Web）

Disadvantages：

　　during the day, when inmates spend time with each other, it is impossible to completely prohibit conversation, thus it is difficult to prevent bad influences from spreading. Passive separation is less beneficial to the rehabilitation of inmates back into society.