Panopticon; or, The Inspection-House

What it is

This is a book written by Jeremy Bentham in the form of letters, dated 1787 and published in 1791. It sets out his idea for a building, the Panopticon, designed so that people inside could always be observed from a central point.

Why it matters

Bentham intended the design for prisons but also suggested it could apply to schools, hospitals, workhouses and factories. He argued that constant watching would make supervision efficient and could be used to extract labour and enforce discipline. The idea influenced real prison projects, including government-funded efforts in London, and later became a famous symbol of surveillance and social control, studied by historians and philosophers long after Bentham's death.

Look closer

• Why did Bentham think being watched all the time would change people's behaviour?
• What kinds of institutions did Bentham think could use this design, and what does that suggest about his view of society?
• What problems might arise from a building designed entirely around constant observation?