I read this Guardian Article that covered what a Norwegian Prison is like, actually wrote by a prisoner there, I found it worth looking into of course as it could provide inspiration for my project
The Norwegian prison where inmates are treated like people
This 2013 article by Erwin James explores Bastoy Prison, a unique Norwegian penal colony located on an island that has gained international attention for its radical approach to rehabilitation.
The "Human Ecological" Model
Despite housing serious offenders, including those convicted of murder and rape. Bastoy Prison operates on principles of trust and normality rather than punishment and deprivation.
- Living Conditions: Inmates live in small, self-governed bungalow communities of up to six people. They have private rooms, share kitchens, and are responsible for cooking their own meals with a modest allowance. Similar to that of a University Dorm
- Daily Life: The island functions like a small village. Inmates work from 8:30 am in various roles, such as farming, woodwork, or bicycle repair. In their free time, they can fish, swim, or play in a band.
- Philosophy: Governor Arne Nilsen argues that "treating people like animals" in prison ensures they will behave like animals upon release. He maintains that the loss of liberty is the punishment; the prison’s job is to prepare them to be good neighbours.
Success Rates
The most striking aspect of their prison model is its efficacy:
- Low Recidivism: Bastoy has a reoffending rate of just 16%, the lowest in Europe. For comparison, the article notes that many UK prisons at the time had re-conviction rates exceeding 70%.
- Safety: Guards (who undergo three years of training compared to six weeks in the UK) report feeling safer on the island than on the streets of Oslo. Only a handful of guards remain on the island overnight, and violence is extremely rare.
Conclusion
The article concludes that while high-security prisons will always be necessary, Bastoy serves as a vision of the future. It suggests that true justice for society is a system that heals and rehabilitates, though it acknowledges that adopting such a model would require significant political courage in other countries. I believe that Bastoy should be thought about when designing a service to help prisoners comes around!