A new documentary series is opening the doors to Norway’s prison system, which paints a very different picture than life in American penal institutions and will likely offend or delight you.
A clip from the series, called The Norden, takes viewers inside the jails of Halden Fengsel, which has been referred to as the world’s most humane prison.
Producers brought in a retired superintendent of New York’s infamous Attica Correctional Facility for a tour with the warden of Halden and he is astonished by what he sees – a music room, silverware, coat hangers, and plenty of privacy and freedom within the facility.
Norway is a progressive country in many respects and is known for its generous social programs, so of course this carries over to its approach to the country’s prison system – which emphasizes rehabilitation and reform and deemphasizes the punishment aspect.
“In the law, being sent to prison is nothing to do with putting you in a terrible prison to make you suffer,” explains Arne Nilsen, Governor of Bastoy Prison. “The punishment is that you lose your freedom. If we treat people like animals when they are in prison they are likely to behave like animals. Here we pay attention to you as human beings.”
Among the “luxury” items provided to inmates are TVs, computers, and bathrooms in all cells. In addition, prisoners are allowed to work in stables, bike shops, gardens and a music studio. They are also given the privilege of hosting families for overnight visits in a house on prison grounds.
Guards are split evenly between men and women, carry no guns and often eat and spend recreational time with inmates.
The discussion points out that despite criticism of the approach as making the prison experience too cozy for convicted criminals, it appears to be working for Norway. Within two years of release, only about 20 percent of prisoners in Norway end up returning to jail. In contrast, the same rate for inmates in the United States and Britain falls between 50-60 percent.
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