Lecture Notes: Norwegian Prison System

Introduction

• Discussion on the nature of life in a maximum-security prison.
• Goal: Reduce the feeling of being in prison as much as possible.

Key Concepts

1. Principle of Normality

   • Life inside prisons should resemble life in the community.
   • Taking away liberty and family is the punishment; life inside should be normalized.

2. Humanity in Prisons

   • Emphasis on treating inmates with dignity and respect.
   • Interactions between staff and inmates are crucial.
   • Importance of wearing normal clothing to reduce prison-like feeling.

3. Dynamic Security

   • Focus on interpersonal relationships between officers and inmates.
   • Each inmate has a primary contact officer.
   • Officers are also seen as social workers, focusing on respect and human rights.

4. Reintegration into Society

   • Focus on future planning and steps to become a free citizen.
   • Officers assist inmates with system knowledge and future advice.

Facilities and Environment

• Cells equipped with personal amenities (DVDs, showers, keys).
• Commissary stores for normalization of life experiences.
• Encouragement of interaction, such as playing games with inmates.

Staff Training and Duties

• Major subjects: Ethics, Psychology, Communication, Criminology, Law, Human Rights.
• Less focus on physical defense, more on respectful treatment.
• Interaction is encouraged, contrary to some practices in other countries.

Personal Accounts

• Positive experiences compared to prisons in other countries, e.g., Brazil.
• Importance of communication and trust in developing a future plan.
• Personal stories highlight the difference in treatment and overall prison environment.

Conclusion

• Interaction and communication are key to successful reintegration.
• The environment in Norwegian prisons is vastly different from other international experiences.
• Hope and opportunity post-prison are emphasized through respectful treatment and planning.