The Incredibly Good Conditions of Prisons in Norway


Halden Prison in Norway, which is the best prison in the world in terms of the conditions it provides, uses the method of healing instead of punishment, so when the criminals here rejoin the citizens one day, there is no trace of their former state.

on Netflix “The World’s Toughest Prisons” In each episode of the program, the prison conditions of a different country are discussed. Raphael Rowe, who was imprisoned in England for years for a crime he did not commit, this time voluntarily enters prisons in different parts of the world and conveys to the audience what the conditions are like.

The program usually includes countries with poor conditions, but sometimes – for better comparison – prisons with good conditions. prison in norway one of the important examples to understand this comparison.

The quality of the conditions of the prisons in Norway is occasionally covered in the media, but when examined in detail, it is understood that they offer more opportunities than expected.

Prison cells are very well maintained. All rooms have a TV, bathroom, bed, a refrigerator, bookcase, desk, large window, chair, and even Internet access there is even.

There is also a market called “Justice”, which contains a thousand and one kinds of products, where prisoners can shop with cards with balance.

justice market norway

With the products they buy from this market, they can cook the food they want together and eat them together.

norwegian prison kitchen

even in the kitchen silver dinner sets is being used.

While prisoners and guards are normally known as two sides that don’t get along, things are the other way around in Norway.

norway guard

They can hang out like friends in common areas. There is an environment like BBG house. We even have a hard time getting it into our own home. PlayStation There are even possibilities.

Designed by architect Eric Møller, the prison resembles a university campus.

norwegian prison architect

It contains several basketball courts, a climbing wall, gym available. Here you can practice gymnastics, yoga, climbing, etc., accompanied by instructors. possible to do sports.

They can also play musical instruments. It even has a recording studio.

prison music

There are places of worship in Halden where prisoners of all faiths can worship.

prison worship

Moreover, local clergy often come here and accompany the prisoners. They can worship and chat.

Instead of keeping the murderers together, they prefer to put them among the lesser offenders. In this way, it is seen that they experience psychological recovery.

norway killer

With the effect of these conditions, it is the country with the lowest rate of recidivism by prisoners (30%). because They care about rehabilitation. In bad conditions 30 years ago, this rate was around 70%. So this system works.

They believe that people are bad because of bad conditions, so they have proven that they can take on a good personality when they are in a good environment.

norwegian prison terms

in 2011 in the Norwegian attacks Let’s mention that the murderer who killed 77 people and injured 242 people and was sentenced to 24 years in prison is also in the Halden Prison.

Even those who commit the heaviest crimes a maximum sentence of 24 years. They think everyone deserves a second chance. The fact that 120,000 dollars is spent per year per prisoner is met with anger by some. It is a matter of curiosity how the relatives of the victims reacted to the conditions being so humane.