The Panopticon is a cylindrical shaped prison, with well lit cells in the peripheral radius of the cylinder, in which the prisoners were individualised, a large courtyard in the middle of the prison, and a watchtower in the centre, from which guards could observe every single prisoner. The prison was designed in such manner that the prisoners could be seen by the guards in the …show more content…
The observers are constantly observed by everyone, so that autonomous power is prevented and the increase of power through the panoptic mechanism does not degenerate into tyranny. The panopticon only works if everything is in balance and transparent from the top down. • If the observer can be seen by a lower level (prisoners), there is no “visual trap”, no uncertainty, no fear, no angst and no control. • If the observer can not see everything, there are no consistent disciplinary actions, no total control, which the prisoners will notice, the “visual trap” will fall apart, no fear, no angst, hence no power. • If the observer is not being observed, he will have the possibility to make autonomous decisions, giving him full power with tyranny as a