By, Lena Siemers
For many years, Norway has proven to be one of the most successful nations in the world when it comes to the well-being of its citizens. This is evidenced by their contented population, their unique and effective healthcare system, and their outstanding approach in restoring justice, reducing recidivism, and rehabilitating its prisoners. In comparison to other countries, such as the United States, Norway uses vastly different approaches in keeping their population safe and maintains a much more effective criminal justice system. But what exactly makes Norway exceptional in comparison to other countries? What do we know about current prison population statistics and recidivism rates? This article examines how Norway uses specific strategies to maintain a low prison population and diminish recidivism.
Maintaining a low prison population while keeping recidivism rates low has not always been the norm in Norway. During the 20th century, there was an increase in prison population rates. As the government decided to toughen its drug control policies and started to punish more and more people that were associated with drug abuse, Norway experienced a rise in prison population (Labutta, 335). The battle against drug abuse became significantly visible in Norway’s prison population rates, and “from 1980 to 1995, the Norwegian prison population increased at a rate of about five prisoners every five years, jumping from an overall incarceration rate of forty-four percent in 1980 to sixty percent in 1995” (334). These numbers changed when the “Norwegian Correctional Service underwent a rigorous series of reforms to focus less on what Hoideal terms ‘revenge’ and much more on rehabilitation” (BBC). Moreover, “since developing its new prison system in the 1990s, its recidivism rate has decreased from around 60-70% to only 20% in recent years” (Borgen Project). As of April 2020 Norway has a prison population rate of 49 per every 100,000 inhabitants (World Prison Brief).
In addition to reducing prison population and recidivism, restoring justice includes education for correctional officers as well as meaningful rehabilitation. In order for Norwegian correctional officers to do their work efficiently, the training and education process is not only very competitive but also long lasting. Correctional officers there learn how to act as role models, mentors, trainers and coaches to those who are incarcerated. With the foundation of this unique training, it is common that “prison staff does not carry arms in Norway” (Norway Today), because instead of violence, they use communication as a solution. Furthermore, this specific training helps to maintain respect between inmates and officers. Corrections officers and incarcerated individuals are able to build up a relationship through which “they eat together, play volleyball together, do leisure activities together” (BBC). This allows corrections officers to “interact with prisoners, to talk to them and to motivate them.” (BBC). It is noteworthy to point out that, while an inmate serves his sentence, he or she still maintains his or her rights. As an example, “Prisoners can vote, they can have access to school, to health care; they have the same rights as any Norwegian citizen. Because inmates are human beings. They have done wrong, they must be punished, but they are still human beings” (BBC). This positive relationship between correctional officers and incarcerated individuals is paramount in building respect both for themselves and for others. This allows them to thrive on the inside which leads to a much more positive reentry into society.
The Norwegian prison system also emphasizes training and education for incarcerated individuals. Through education and training, they are given the tools necessary to learn and grow in healthy and positive ways. They can apply these newly learned skills when it comes time for them to re-enter society. The Norwegian prison system offers various types of education through which some inmates decide to pursue educational programs where they “can also work toward earning their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, while incarcerated” (Norway Today). On the other hand some decide to assist in on-site garages, kitchens, carpentry workshops and graphic design studios, where they can become certified mechanics, carpenters, chefs and more (BBC). Educational programs are important for an inmate’s future, because it gives them perspective and routine during their sentence. The Norwegian prison system values these programs for inmates and states that “if you don’t have opportunities and you are just locked in a cage, you don’t become a good citizen […] Here there are good opportunities, you can have a diploma and when you come out, you can maybe get a stable job and that’s important” (BBC). In addition to that, inmates also develop a daily routine, since “most of the prisoners […] leave their cells at 07:30 each morning and are at work by 08:15. Apart from one hour’s rest in their cells during the afternoon, to coincide with the guards’ break, they are not locked in again until 20:30 at night” (BBC). Furthermore, Norway’s prisons offer daily training through which inmates learn to process feelings, rather than walking around angry. They offer yoga classes along with other types of sports which help inmates to process unresolved issues within themselves. The Norwegian Correctional Service believes that “normalizing life behind bars […] is the key philosophy” (BBC). Providing education and rehabilitation benefits inmates and the country in mutual ways. “First, reducing the population of prisoners that are reincarcerated means more individuals are able to contribute to Norway’s economy once their sentence is complete. Second, among the prison population that was unemployed prior to being arrested, there was a 34% increase in this group partaking in job training courses and a 40% increase in employment rates” (Borgen Project).
Lastly, it is relevant to take a look at inmates’ sentences and releases. While the United States carries the life sentence, Norway eliminated in 1981 their life sentence (Labutta 341). Since then, the longest sentence an inmate can receive, is the maximum sentence of 21 years. The reduction in sentences for Norwegians inmates is also evident in the average time that is being served. While “the average inmate sentence in Norway is around 8 months. Over 60% of sentences last 3 months or less, and almost 90% last less than a year” (Norway Today). In addition to that, “the death penalty is prohibited in Norway, and even use of imprisonment as a punishment is limited to serious offenses—the majority of non-serious offenses are punished by fines” (Labutta 341). While the average time served is lower than in other countries it is important to ask how the release differs? As an example “Prior to the release of prisoners, the Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service works with employers and agencies to secure jobs and housing for prisoners if needed” (Norway Today). Through the support of education and training, incarcerated individuals have advantages in finding employment after release, and therefore are able to support the country’s economy right away.
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