In the case of the world’s model for prison reform, Norway, the old adage “personnel is policy” might be amended to “the (lack of) personnel is policy.”
For decades, Norway’s prison system has stood as a beacon of effective and human prison reform, admired and emulated worldwide for its emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment.
But Norway’s model is collapsing under the weight of policymakers’ neglect and amnesia. Staff levels are plummeting, violence is surging, and the cooperative model is being replaced by draconian and dehumanizing strategies to keep order. Americans should heed Norway’s cautionary tale – not reject its enlightened approach.
Prosecutors, police, and politicians from across the globe once toured Norway’s model prisons like Halden to learn the small country had turned the convention wisdom on what a prison is upside-down and delivered lower recidivism (i.e. re-offense rates) and better outcomes for former prisoners.
Norway’s humane correctional system was based on the ‘normality principle’ that life in prison resembles life outside as closely as possible. Employing a dynamic security model – emphasizing constant staff-inmate interaction to assess security needs while using the least restrictive means to ensure everyone’s safety. These principles have proven effective in reducing recidivism, with Norway’s rate hovering at 20-25%, half that of the United States.
Even the architecture of prisons like Halden is designed to foster interaction, skill-building, and reintegration into society. Norwegian prisoners retain access to healthcare, education, and social services — treated like once, current, and future citizens.
With guards unarmed and gates unlocked, prisoners move freely around the campus in stark contrast to punitive isolation common in many U.S. facilities. At the same time, violence and chaos were rare.
But now the system that once epitomized “Nordic exceptionalism” is faltering under mounting stress.
A recent examination of Norway’s prisons paints a grim picture. Resource shortages, staffing crises, and a shift toward static security have eroded the rehabilitative focus. Prisoners are locked in their cells for up to 22 hours a day, far removed from the dynamic, activity-driven model that once defined the system.
Key findings from recent reports include staffing shortages, with the number of prison officers falling by 15% between 2022 and 2024 and more than 300 officers resigning in a single year. That understaffing undermines the model which designed to operate on nearly one inmate to one staff member ratio. Dynamic security — the cornerstone of its rehabilitative approach—has all but disappeared as overburdened officers focus on administrative tasks and crisis management.
Reduced staff interaction has led to a rise in violent incidents among inmates and against staff. Prisoners face extended periods of confinement, worsening mental health conditions. Additionally, with psychiatric hospitals downsized, prisons now house a growing share of the mentally ill, using incarceration in lieu of treatment.
As Norway struggles to maintain its high standards, the United States has begun integrating elements of the Scandinavian model. Initiatives like “Little Scandinavia” at SCI Chester in Pennsylvania demonstrate the potential of this approach. The project’s emphasis on humane conditions and positive staff-prisoner relationships has led to reduced violence and increased staff satisfaction.
However, adopting Norway’s model wholesale risks importing its current vulnerabilities. For the U.S. to succeed, it must invest in staffing, ensuring correctional officers are well-trained, fairly compensated, and supported in their roles. Prisons should not serve as default psychiatric facilities; investment in mental health services both within and outside the prison system is critical.
The U.S. must prioritize programs that prepare inmates for reintegration, including education, vocational training, and therapy. Additionally, over-reliance on technology must be avoided. Norway’s shift toward static security measures like surveillance and lockdowns has fostered a negative culture. The U.S. must balance safety with human interaction.
A significant challenge for both Norway and the U.S. is the growing number of inmates with mental health and substance abuse issues. In Norway, 64% of prisoners have a mental disorder, and 46% struggle with addiction according to one report. Inadequate mental health services exacerbate these issues, leading to higher rates of isolation and recidivism. The U.S. faces similar challenges, with jails and prisons often acting as de facto mental health institutions. Here, too, prisons can serve as a “window of opportunity” to provide treatment. Norway’s struggles underscore the importance of integrating mental health care into correctional systems – a lesson the U.S. cannot afford to ignore.
Despite its current struggles, Norway’s correctional system remains a model worth aspiring to. Its emphasis on rehabilitation and humane treatment has proven effective in reducing crime and fostering societal reintegration. However, preserving this legacy requires immediate action. To reverse the decline, Norway must invest in staff, offering competitive salaries, better working conditions, and opportunities for professional development to retain skilled prison officers.
We learned through interviews that doubling the capacity of psychiatric care and integrating these services into prisons can address the root causes of behavioral issues. Reviving activity programs and vocational training can restore the system’s focus on preparing inmates for life after incarceration. Finally, replacing outdated prisons with modern facilities designed for dynamic security and rehabilitation is crucial.
The United States’ efforts to reform its correctional system can draw inspiration from both Norway’s successes and its current challenges. However, sustained investment and commitment are necessary to avoid repeating Norway’s mistakes. By prioritizing rehabilitation, addressing mental health, and valuing correctional staff, the U.S. can build a prison system that reduces recidivism, improves public safety, and upholds human dignity.
The lessons from Norway—both its rise and decline—offer a roadmap for meaningful reform.
While the United States has sought to emulate Norway’s example in reforming its correctional system, Norway’s own model faces a stark decline. The U.S. must learn from Norway’s prison model’s successes as well as its mistakes.
Stian Estenstad is a former prison officer who, on behalf of the Red Cross, leads on of Norway’s largest reentry program for those released from prison. Nina Hanssen is a speaker and author of “The Norwegian Prison System: Halden Prison and Beyond” (Routledge, 2022). Both have been part of an international cohort organized by Arrow Center for Justice.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
