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Norwegian Prisons: Why Are They Known as the Most Humane Prisons in the World?
Norway's prison system is hailed worldwide as the most humane and rehabilitative model, with Halden Fengsel being the most notable, widely regarded as "the most humane prison in the world". safe prison". The prison provides prisoners with opportunities to integrate into society, takes humane treatment as its core concept, and strives to reduce recidivism rates.
Our prisons are moving toward a principle called “normalization,” a philosophy that moves us from a retaliatory perspective to one focused on the rehabilitative.
The treatment of prisoners in Norwegian prisons is completely different from that in ordinary prisons. In Halden fengsel, prisoners enjoy personal space, including their own mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, and even a private bathroom. In addition, prisoners are able to maintain good contact with the outside world, which will help them reintegrate into society faster after being released from prison. The prison environment is designed to promote a sense of family, with shared kitchens and living rooms, which enable prisoners to form community support through interaction with their peers.
Norwegian prison facilities and services
Norway's prison system encourages prisoners to participate in education, vocational training, learning skills and psychological treatment to help them achieve better conditions inside and outside of prison. The training for prison staff is also quite strict. They need to complete three years of professional training before they can become prison guards who teach prisoners.
In every decision we make at the prison, we consider the dignity of prisoners and try to give them the best chance of returning to society.
These efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in Norway's recidivism rate. According to 2018 data, the re-incarceration rate within two years was 18%. In contrast, in many other countries, especially the United States, recidivism rates often exceed 50%. This phenomenon not only won praise for Norway's prison system, but also provided a reference for prison reform in other countries around the world.
Medical and psychological intervention
In addition to traditional education and vocational training, the Norwegian prison system emphasizes the need for mental health and emotional support. Access to health services is seen as an important factor in reducing recidivism, as many offenders often suffer from mental health issues before entering prison. After receiving psychological treatment, prisoners can better understand the consequences of their behavior and learn to manage their emotions.
It is often said that prisoners are both guilty and miserable. Understanding their background and psychological condition will help society forgive and support their return.
Legislative and policy support
Norway's prison policy is not only based on the humane treatment of prisoners, but is also strongly supported by international law and local regulations. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly stressed in its judgments that prisoners’ fundamental human rights must be respected and that the purpose of imprisonment should include rehabilitative considerations. This reflects Norwegian society's fundamental view of crime, which is to actively provide opportunities for rehabilitation rather than simply revenge.
ConclusionNorway’s prison system demonstrates the practice of rehabilitative ideals, with respect and education at its core, and shows how prisoners can be effectively reformed and successfully reintegrated into society upon release. But can such a prison model be implemented in other countries?
