– Norwegian prisons are considered advanced and exemplary. But not everyone understands why so much effort and money should be spent on criminals...
– The conditions in Norwegian prisons indeed seem unjustifiably comfortable to many. But this is the main idea of a prison "Norwegian style": a person should not experience additional suffering here, but only realize their isolation from the outside world.
This is a phenomenon of Scandinavian countries and, in particular, Norway. Without using harsh methods, with respect for human rights, they manage to reduce crime rates and minimize recidivism. The fundamental principles: "A bad prison does not reform a criminal," "To reform a person, you must first respect them."
– When the court hearings in the Breivik case began, images from the courtroom spread around the world. No cages, the "Norwegian shooter" himself – in a suit and snow-white shirt. Everyone is extremely polite and courteous, before the trial the judge extends a hand to the defendant. For a Russian viewer, the picture is fantastic and, most likely, incomprehensible. From your point of view, was it a show trial or the norm for Norway?
– For Norwegian society and justice, Breivik's crime became a serious test. At first, there was information that it was the work of migrants. And when it became clear that the massacre on the island was carried out by a native Norwegian, everyone was, of course, shocked. However, representatives of the justice system decided that in any case, they must remain human, and everything must proceed in strict accordance with the law. Employees of the Norwegian Ministry of Justice repeatedly told us that prison is a reflection of life in society, they treat all criminals this way, and Breivik was no exception.
– It is believed that in Norway, prisoners live an ordinary life, lacking nothing but freedom. Breivik himself is kept in a three-room cell with an area of 24 square meters…
– Yes, the terrorist who killed over seventy people and was sentenced to 21 years in prison lives in good conditions. His three-room space has a gym, computer, shower room, bedroom, kitchen. He is visited by a psychologist.
Recently, the Halden prison was built in Norway. It is designed for 200 people. Not a hotel, but very similar to one. Norwegian law enforcement believes that for psychological comfort and overcoming prison stress, it is very important to bring conditions as close to "home" as possible. Each prisoner has a separate room with a wooden bed, desk and chair, TV, refrigerator, microwave oven. In Norwegian prisons, it is allowed to have radios, televisions, video or audio tape recorders. Some prisoners may be granted Internet access.
It is very important that personal belongings are allowed, which, like familiar hobbies such as playing the guitar, reading books, help maintain contact with the outside world. In the visitation room, there is a play area for children. There are books, paintings, toys everywhere, soft carpets, warm light – everything is done so that a child feels safe when meeting with a parent. There is a gym, outdoor sports grounds. A norm of 6-8 square meters per person is maintained. All convicts are required to work or study. They are semi-free people who view what happened as an accident. And this is visible in their eyes…
When we were in the prison rehabilitation center (where prisoners who will be released in six months are held), we were told about the main principle of the Norwegian prison system: "Before you take a person out of prison, you need to take the prison out of the person." In Russia, I note, the prison can be in a person from birth, and after release this feeling only intensifies.
The rehabilitation block in the prison we visited is located in an 18th-century building. Convicts have the opportunity to communicate with each other, visit each other, practice with a yoga instructor, play chess, checkers, football. In the block, staff work without uniforms – so that prisoners unlearn prison and prepare for life outside. People who will "accompany" those who have served their time in freedom also work here. Each prisoner is assigned several people – they will deal with his housing, employment, treatment, debt obligations.
Norway has the lowest rate of criminal recidivism. Only lower in Japan and Arab countries. But there it happens due to religion and harsh conditions. I think this is not our way. By the way, there are many Russian speakers in Norwegian prisons who, like everyone else, live in normal conditions and do not look unhappy. Most often, staff build normal human relationships with prisoners so that they do not feel a difference from ordinary life, they are not shouted at, let alone beaten.
– The country has just over 4,000 prisoners. It seems that only the most dangerous criminals, who cannot be reformed, end up behind bars. But recidivism statistics say otherwise. Is there a connection with the lenient conditions?
– I note that the conditions are not "lenient" – they simply comply with the law. Norwegians believe that the harshness of punishment does not affect rehabilitation. The main task is to return a person to society. Therefore, prisoners are not deprived of voting rights, they continue to engage in creativity, self-education.
Convicts held in stricter conditions (in solitary cells) have a special officer assigned – being in complete isolation is considered cruel treatment. And this despite the fact that the maximum period of solitary confinement does not exceed four weeks (Breivik is the only exception).
– Is it possible in this case to speak of an inverse relationship – that harsher conditions of detention for prisoners can negatively affect their subsequent behavior?
– In Russia, recidivists account for up to 70%, in the USA – up to 80%. In Europe – an average of 50%. Fear is a strong motivator, but it can reform few people. Only a few are deterred from crime by it.
The entire penal system in Norway is built on the absence of the psychological suppression of the individual that we are used to. There are no punishments for misbehavior in prison. There are only special rooms for those who may harm themselves or others. Prison staff are unarmed and 40% are women – it is believed that they are more effective at smoothing over and preventing conflicts, creating a more favorable environment in prison. Whenever possible, penal system employees try to replace punishment with probation, send to correctional labor, fit electronic bracelets, etc.
The main problem of the Norwegian penal system is the growth of crime among migrants. Work with them is hampered by language barriers and cultural differences. The main “clients” of prisons are people from former USSR countries. In addition, there are people from Yugoslavia and Arab countries. 70-80% of prisoners are foreigners. But I note that the representatives of the prison system respond to this very clearly and try to keep everything under control.
In police custody, detainees can be held for no more than 48 hours; a whole complex of video surveillance cameras is equipped for these purposes. We were shown the entire route that a detainee takes from the moment they are brought to the police station until they are transferred to prison. Upon entering the prison, everyone was given booklets in different languages, including Russian: “Welcome to Oslo Prison.”
When a person is placed in a cell, they are necessarily examined by a medic, despite the fact that the detention period is no more than 48 hours. Each cell has a sleeping area with a soft mattress, a sink, a toilet, and a large clock. Detainees are provided with personal hygiene products and are fed three times a day. The police officer accompanying us said that at night the lights are completely turned off in the cells, and night-vision video devices allow monitoring of the detainees.
– In your opinion, do representatives of the Russian penitentiary system today feel the need to follow the example of their Norwegian colleagues?
– Yes, of course. But it should be noted that Norway invests a lot of money in training penal system employees and exchanging experience with colleagues from other countries. In Russia, huge amounts of money are spent on the penal system.
Read the continuation of the article:
PRISONS OF NORWAY AND RUSSIA
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