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shanemorris: The men in this picture are in a professional recording studio that cost several million dollars to build. Fortunately for these men, they won’t have to pay a dime to use it - because they are in Halden Prison, buried away in the picturesque gentle sloping forests of Norway. It is the second largest, and most secure prison in the country. In Norway, prison time is implemented a little differently. The longest sentence you can serve is 21 years. (Although, if you’re deemed to be a menace, your sentence can be extended in five year blocks. Sentence extension is rare, and less than 1% of Norwegian inmates sentenced to 21 years are given extended sentences.) The idea that recently arrested mass-murderer Anders Behring Breivik will likely serve only 21 years for killing 93 people… well… I’m not even sure what to think of it. It’s that foreign to me. Prisoners at Halden Prison don’t live behind bars - in fact, there are no bars at all. Thick shatter-proof laminate glass allows for a more open feeling. Inmates and corrections officers share an open kitchen area where they prepare meals together. The idea of a cell is done away with. Each inmate is given a dorm-like room with a flat screen television, wi-fi internet access, a private bathroom, and a mini-fridge.However, it doesn’t stop there. There is no concrete. Norway didn’t want prison to feel like… well, you know… a prison. Aesthetically, the prison is a beautiful brick and galvanized steel structure. It looks like an upscale American office park. There are fully stocked libraries with books, audiobooks, and even DVD’s. But it doesn’t stop there - those DVD’s can be enjoyed with the corrections officers in shared common areas. Yes, you read that correctly: Inmates and corrections officers can “hang out” together and watch movies. The inmates aren’t limited for physical activity either - they are encouraged to get exercise in state of the art gyms, with a personal trainer. Once they’re in shape, they can play soccer in organized leagues - and the teams also mix in corrections officers… on the same teams with the inmates. Or if you’re not into sports, try the rock climbing gym. Inmates get the best in healthcare, and can get their teeth cleaned whenever they choose. There are music classes, university courses, and even psychologists to deal with the struggle of having your freedom limited. Prison in Norway is a radical departure from what we see in the United States, and the results are hard to argue with: Norway has the lowest recidivism rates of any country in the entire world. One in five inmates return to prison in Norway after two years, while three in five return within two years in the United States. The criminal justice system in Norway has produced a much safer society, and notes need to be drawn from this. There are disparities in the population size (350 Million in the United States and only 5 Million in Norway), as well as the percentage of people in prison. The prison-industrial complex does not grip Norway as it does the United States, and the citizens of Norway have vastly different views on capital punishment, the death penalty, and lengthy prison sentences. Rehabilitation is the model, and it works. People convicted of drug crimes get substance abuse counseling. Mentally ill criminals are given counseling, medication, and put in proper group homes with supervision. Violent criminals are given counseling while in prison, and work towards managing their anger. Prison in Norway is meant to limit liberty and freedom for individuals in violation of the law. Limitation of freedom is seen as sufficient punishment alone. Their criminal justice system is not designed to produce prisoners, but productive members of society. The numbers don’t lie: For every 100,000 people in Norway, on 63 are in prison. In the United States, 783 people in every 100,000 are in prison. This brings me to my conclusion: When you treat human beings like animals for an extended period of time, they will begin to behave like animals, and act against human beings. However, if you treat human beings with dignity, respect and forgiveness, they are more capable of seeing the good in humanity, and become less likely to act out against the liberties of those around them.  Interesting food for thought on prison systems

shanemorris:

The men in this picture are in a professional recording studio that cost several million dollars to build. Fortunately for these men, they won’t have to pay a dime to use it - because they are in Halden Prison, buried away in the picturesque gentle sloping forests of Norway. It is the second largest, and most secure prison in the country.

In Norway, prison time is implemented a little differently. The longest sentence you can serve is 21 years. (Although, if you’re deemed to be a menace, your sentence can be extended in five year blocks. Sentence extension is rare, and less than 1% of Norwegian inmates sentenced to 21 years are given extended sentences.) The idea that recently arrested mass-murderer Anders Behring Breivik will likely serve only 21 years for killing 93 people… well… I’m not even sure what to think of it. It’s that foreign to me.

Prisoners at Halden Prison don’t live behind bars - in fact, there are no bars at all. Thick shatter-proof laminate glass allows for a more open feeling. Inmates and corrections officers share an open kitchen area where they prepare meals together. The idea of a cell is done away with. Each inmate is given a dorm-like room with a flat screen television, wi-fi internet access, a private bathroom, and a mini-fridge.

However, it doesn’t stop there. There is no concrete. Norway didn’t want prison to feel like… well, you know… a prison. Aesthetically, the prison is a beautiful brick and galvanized steel structure. It looks like an upscale American office park. There are fully stocked libraries with books, audiobooks, and even DVD’s. But it doesn’t stop there - those DVD’s can be enjoyed with the corrections officers in shared common areas. Yes, you read that correctly: Inmates and corrections officers can “hang out” together and watch movies.

The inmates aren’t limited for physical activity either - they are encouraged to get exercise in state of the art gyms, with a personal trainer. Once they’re in shape, they can play soccer in organized leagues - and the teams also mix in corrections officers… on the same teams with the inmates. Or if you’re not into sports, try the rock climbing gym.

Inmates get the best in healthcare, and can get their teeth cleaned whenever they choose. There are music classes, university courses, and even psychologists to deal with the struggle of having your freedom limited.

Prison in Norway is a radical departure from what we see in the United States, and the results are hard to argue with: Norway has the lowest recidivism rates of any country in the entire world. One in five inmates return to prison in Norway after two years, while three in five return within two years in the United States.

The criminal justice system in Norway has produced a much safer society, and notes need to be drawn from this. There are disparities in the population size (350 Million in the United States and only 5 Million in Norway), as well as the percentage of people in prison. The prison-industrial complex does not grip Norway as it does the United States, and the citizens of Norway have vastly different views on capital punishment, the death penalty, and lengthy prison sentences.

Rehabilitation is the model, and it works. People convicted of drug crimes get substance abuse counseling. Mentally ill criminals are given counseling, medication, and put in proper group homes with supervision. Violent criminals are given counseling while in prison, and work towards managing their anger.

Prison in Norway is meant to limit liberty and freedom for individuals in violation of the law. Limitation of freedom is seen as sufficient punishment alone. Their criminal justice system is not designed to produce prisoners, but productive members of society. The numbers don’t lie: For every 100,000 people in Norway, on 63 are in prison. In the United States, 783 people in every 100,000 are in prison.

This brings me to my conclusion: When you treat human beings like animals for an extended period of time, they will begin to behave like animals, and act against human beings. However, if you treat human beings with dignity, respect and forgiveness, they are more capable of seeing the good in humanity, and become less likely to act out against the liberties of those around them.

 Interesting food for thought on prison systems

  1. thelittlenellnell reblogged this from shanemorris
  2. copperblues reblogged this from shanemorris and added:
    Interesting food
  3. allshamnowow reblogged this from shanemorris
  4. shanemorris posted this

10 months ago Short URL 23 notes

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