If talking about prison, you surely will imagine that a prison is synonymous with a dirty, scary, dark room, and filled with criminals with various cases. But that does not apply in Norway. Prisons in Norway, one of them is Halden Prison, are far from those negative impressions. Well, here let us talk about Halden Prison, a prison in Norway that pampers the prisoners.
Halden Prison is a maximum-security prison. It is situated in Halden, Norway. Based on the research, this prison was built in 2010 with a focus on rehabilitation. Even though it is inhabited by the prisoners with serious crimes, but this prison is very humane. In 2010, Halden Prison has obtained the Arnstein Arneberg Award for its humane and its interior design. Of course, it is very contrast to the prisons in many countries where the prisons become the place of oppression and even full of torture.
According to The Story Institute, Halden Prison houses 250 prisoners. And, almost half of the prisoners are high-profile criminals such as assault, murder, and rape. The mission of Halden Prison is to bring the prisoners back to society in a better version. But not in an inhumane way. TIME Magazine called it the most humane prison in the world.
Designed by Erik Møller Architect, Halden Prison is structured in such a way to make those within its walls feel surrounded by nature. The prisoners have access to windows which look out onto the nearby trees and grass. Also, there are lots of art pieces and installations throughout the prison.
The facilities in Halden Prison are quite luxurious. Each cell has a bed, bookshelf, TV, small refrigerator, table, and chairs. Plus, there is a private bathroom including a shower, toilet, and sink. In Halden Prison, there is also a grocery store where the prisoners can buy groceries for their own cooking. Aside from that, Halden Prison provides the prisoners a gym, library, computer room, training room, and a nice garden. It is not wonder if there are lots of people who say that prisoners in Halden Prison are really pampered.
Every corner of the Halden prison room looks like a luxury home. All the furniture in the bedroom, television room, and kitchen looks so modern and comfortable. As the most humane prison in the world, it seems that Halden Prison is more suitable to be called a dream residence than a prison. In Halden prison, the prisoners can sit on the sofa while staring at the television, cook their own food in a luxurious kitchen, and sleep in a bedroom that feels like being at home. How comfortable the prisoners are inhabited in this prison.
Aside from the facilities which are luxurious and complete, the interaction between warders and prisoners in Halden Prison is also good. During the day, wardens and prisoners interact with casual conversations, playing volleyball, dinner together, and drinking coffee while eating waffles. Many people argue that Halden Prison is too luxurious and not an appropriate punishment. For this case, warden Are Høidal says that revenge alone does not produce good results. Rehabilitation is a key. As we said before, Halden Prison has a mission to bring the prisoners back to society in a better version in a humane way.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
