The inspiration for the star-shaped form of the new prison, which will house approximately 250 inmates, was drawn from its location in a rural area of small villages. The shape is reminiscent of that of the surrounding villages, and the complex is also intended to provide a small, condensed urban environment with the kind of varied spatial experiences, functional density and clarity of layout that such an environment offers.

In the centre are an administration building, occupation building and cultural centre with library, religious worship room, sports facilities and a shop. Radiating outwards from here are the wings – four ordinary wings and one high security wing – in a star shape, which ensures that all wings have a view of the landscape within the walls, but none have visual contact with each other. A plaza area and a sequence of streets bind the complex together.

Each individual building in the total complex has its own identity. The prison constitutes the whole world for the inmate, and the various building expressions thus comprise an important part of the prisoner's experiential universe. Overall, the complex is in a warm, grey shade of brick. Variation is provided by, amongst other things, the occupation building, which is crystal-shaped and clad with perforated metal plates in green shades, and the cultural centre, which is round, covered with glass and ringed by green slats.

The compact, urban structure means that there is also left space for natural and cultivated areas, areas for animal husbandry and for the integration of sports facilities in the landscape within the perimeter wall.

With its corners and variations, the six-metre tall, star-shaped perimeter wall creates a dynamic sequence which gives a less restrictive appearance by providing a sense of dialogue with the outside world.