Was prison better before?

Norway has long been seen as a pioneer country for prisons and correctional services.

The Norwegian penal system has gained a reputation as “exceptional” and one of the most humane in the world. The world looks to Norway for good examples. Why don’t we look to our own good examples when building new prisons?

In recent years, the Norwegian Correctional Service has been characterized by a focus on administration, efficiency and new technology. Prisons are getting bigger. Construction processes are being standardized. Budgets are getting smaller. Prisons are being hidden away.

 Is it right to focus so much on finances and administration, when we are dealing with people? People in a challenging and vulnerable situation? Have we turned a blind eye to the reputation of the world's best correctional service? And is this the way to go for the future?

 Last week, the government put plans for a new Oslo prison on the Bredtvettomta site on hold. It was difficult to find such a large plot of land. There has been opposition from neighbors, who do not want a large and 'threatening' prison in the vicinity. The condition of the current Oslo prison is critical and a replacement is needed. A lot of time and resources have been spent on site searches, analyses, back and forth, but no solution has been found. Would it have been an idea not to think of one large prison, but several smaller prisons?

 Michel Mateos led the debate and you can watch it by clicking here