Prisons are known as terrible and frustrating places designed to be inhabited by criminals. However, the “bad” impression of prisons will vanish when people land in a prison located in Norway called Bastoy Prison. According to huffingtonpost.com, Bastoy Prison in Norway does not even look scary to criminals. This prison is even known as the most beautiful prison in the world.
Bastoy Prison is the name of an open prison. It has been one since the 1930s. Its concept comes from another Nordic country, Finland. In this prison, inmates live communally in comfortable houses. For anyone who is interested in Bastoy Prison, here are unique facts about Bastoy Prison, the most beautiful prison in the world with hotel-like facilities.
Every room has several facilities, such as a kitchen and a lounge
Detainees at Bastoy Prison are provided with meals every day. Aside from that, they are also allowed to purchase complementary foods that are available at local supermarkets. The question is where do inmates get money to buy food?
Apparently, inmates housed at Bastoy Prison have to do a few jobs, such as gardening, taking care of horses, repairing bicycles, sawing wood, and maintaining Bastoy Island facilities. From doing these things, they can earn money. To improve their skills, they are offered a high quality education and training program. In their free time, inmates have chances to visit churches, schools, or libraries. Besides, they can also participate in recreational activities such as horse riding, fishing, and tennis.
Bastoy Prison is a prison that is located on an island one square mile in size. This one can house 115 inmates. It has a total of 69 staff. All prison guards who work at Bastoy Prison have been trained for three years. They are more like social workers than prison officials. Someone who is in charge of Bastoy Prison named Arne Kvernvik Nilsen said “Bastoy is a beautiful island. It does not look like a terrible prison. This way will change people”.
Bastoy Prison is known as a detention center for those who have committed serious crimes, including murder and rape. It has the lowest reoffending rate in Europe, which is at 16%. The number is clearly the lowest compared to the other European countries, with an average of around 70%. In the past, Bastoy Prison was used as a rehabilitation and detention center for brutal children or adolescents.
In 1915, this place was used to detain rebel boys who were suppressed by the Norwegian military
In 1953, the Norwegian government took over the Bastoy Prison. Then, they decided to close it in 1970. In 1982, the prison reopened as a pilot project which has evolved into today’s Bastoy Prison.
Not all prisons in Norway have the same facilities as Bastoy Prison
While not all prisons in Norway have the same facilities as Bastoy Prison, all of them follow the same philosophy. They believe that if the country gives punishment to the offenders, it means the freedom has been lost. It is the reason why they minimize the punishment. In addition, they also get rid of the death penalty as well as life sentences.
“Loss of freedom can be considered as punishment”, said Nilsen. He then added “Once detained, we must focus on reducing the risk that offenders pose to society after they leave prison”.
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.
