Halden prison
”Who do we want as our neighbour?” (WANG AND MOMENT, 2015)
Often regarded as the world most humane prison, Halden is one of Norway’s highest security prisons. Holding 250 inmates, approximately half have been sentences for committing violent crimes including; murder, rape and paedophilia. The flagship institution cost 1.3 billion Norwegian Kroner, approximately £138 million, and centres itself on rehabilitation, rather than punishment (WANG AND MOMENT, 2015)
Scandinavian countries have become well know for their low reoffending rate “It has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world at 20%” (STERBENZ, 2014). The birth of the Modern Scandinavian Penal system can be explained in three distinct phases. The first being prior 1930’s, prisoners were thought to be kept in a sanctuary to prevent them from any temptations of the outside world. Secondly for the 30’s-60’s, people who committed crimes were considered as mentally unwell and prison was seen as a “sanatorium for morally and mentally sick offenders” (PRATT, 2011). From the 1970’s to present day, the third and most successful stage was with the aim and intent to ‘normalize’ prison life. Internal conditions reflect those of the outside world with the ambition to return them to society as reformed human beings (PRATT, 2011).
Norway possesses some differences to the rest of Scandinavia; the major difference being was the ways in which countries each handle their offenders and their view on serious criminal offenders. The current maximum sentence for people who have committed the most serious crimes is lifetime imprisonment for Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. On the contrary, the maximum sentence available for offenders in Norway is fixed at 21 years imprisonment (SCHARTMUELLER, 2015).
In comparison to HMP Wandsworth where they have 50 prisoners to an officer, Halden 340 staff members looking after 250 prisoners. This includes social workers, teachers, health care workers and councillors. There is a strong emphasis on staff interacting with inmates, working with them, eating with them, counselling them and talking to them in order to combat their criminality (GENTLEMAN, 2012). More time spent interacting with the staff who, ultimately have more respect for them, will boost the self worth, confidence and their over all mental well-being whilst they are carrying out their sentences.
background
"We felt it shouldn't look like a prison. We wanted to create normality. If you can't see the wall, this could be anything, anywhere. The life behind the walls should be as much like life outside the walls as possible"(GENTLEMAN, 2012). To limit social marginalisation and to maintain equality among all citizens, Halden’s aesthetic design doesn’t conform to standard prison characteristics. Set in a forest, the grounds consist of modern minimalist buildings. The architects wanted to keep nature a within the prison walls, “there are many trees, uneven grounds, blueberries and adders. It would be easy to run and hide, but nobody does” (WANG AND MOMENT, 2015). However, beyond the forest scenery is a thick, tall steel, and concrete wall that is too difficult for anyone to scale. The tough steel and concrete symbolises detention and remind inmates that their freedom has been taken, whilst the soft, natural birch trees and vegetation portray regrowth and rehabilitation.
“We look at what kind of neighbour you want to have when they come out. If you stay in a box for a few years, then you are not a good person when you come out. If you treat them hard… well, we don't think that treating them hard will make them a better man. We don't think about revenge in the Norwegian prison system. We have much more focus on rehabilitation. It is a long time since we had fights between inmates. It is this building that makes softer people" (GENTLEMAN, 2012)
The interior of Halden also differs massively from the majority of other prisons. On top of the usual attributes of a cell, they contain fridges, flat screen TV’s, bookshelves, desks and chairs, and unlike UK prisons, a private bathroom with a toilet, shower and soft white towels. In addition to the furniture, the rooms are 10ft squared, with large windows, looking out on to the forest grounds. The walls are clean white with a feature colour wall, and consistent pine furniture (GENTLEMAN, 2012). Hallways are tiled with Moroccan tiles and have large pieces of art and images, such as flowers and cities in a bid to strengthen their bond with the outside world.
Hygienic cells with a separate toilet and communal areas for eating provide a healthier environment for inmates. The positive environment reduces risks of them developing psychosomatic related illnesses, which in turn causes rising stress levels and blood pressure. The constant access to outside and natural light diminishes behavioural issues such as irritation and aggressiveness. As a result, no one has tried to escape the prison and there are rarely physical altercations between inmates.
design
Halden’s approach to rehabilitation in day-to day life, like the design, provides and prepares inmates for release. Inmates are required to go to work, and all offenders who are able-bodied are employed (PRATT, 2011). At 7.30am they are unlocked to attend work and educational lessons. To leave their cell, the prisoners must pay a daily payment of 53 Kroner; approximately £5.60 "If they are sitting all day, I don't think that is so good for a person. If they are busy, then they are happier. We try not to let them get institutionalised"(GENTLEMAN, 2012).
Prisoners have access to football field, running trails, a music studio, and, although they are provided with meals, inmates have the option to shop at the on-site super market to cook for themselves. A gym, library and chapel are also available for them to engage in activities and maintain a similar routine they would have in the outside world. The campus school gives inmates an opportunity to develop their education whilst completing their sentence (UNKNOWN, 2017). “If you have very few activities, your prisoners become more aggressive"(GENTLEMAN, 2012).
Day-to-Day life
preparation for release
“Finding proper housing and a steady income even before the prisoners are released is believed to contribute to lower recidivism rates” (UNKNOWN, 2017). To prepare inmates for life in the outside world, staff ensure prisoner-family relationships are maintained. They also ensure inmates have homes and jobs before they leave to guarantee they will not return. Prisoners are also given the opportunity to stay in an on-site chalet with their family so they get used to spending time with them before released.
Background Halden Prison Inmates Playing Cards on the Grounds: Fig 5