Young People Imprisoned in Individual Cells. From a Total Environment to a Disciplinary Utopia?

This contribution aims to understand the detention experience of juveniles detained in Prisons For Minors (PM). In this context, prison experiences will be approached by analysing – through a methodology combining observation, interviews and drawings by young prisoners – a particular space : the cell. A reading of the Goffman’s book Asylums will also be an opportunity to examine the spatial dimension of such a reclusive life in general. Finally, it will show, by focusing exclusively on the cellular experience, the extent to which PM offers, or does not offer, a « new » way to lock people up, and therefore question whether such a change – which is not really one – has occurred in the penal institution.