Crime and punishment, Norwegian style

[davieG]

BBC

By Paul HenleyBBC News, Bastoey, Norway

The prisoners on Bastoey island live in idyllic surroundings

There has been a lot of introspection in Norway in the year following the attacks carried out by Anders Behring Breivik.

The country's justice system has been subject to intensive scrutiny, and foreigners might be forgiven for assuming that public opinion on crime and punishment had hardened.

But according to the junior minister for justice, Kristin Bergersen, it has not.

"I think the debate we are seeing in Norway right now establishes that we have the right values and the right system for punishment here," she says.

“Start Quote If this wasn't a prison, the Norwegian government could rent it out for holidays”

Morten Inmate

It is highly unlikely that Breivik will ever set foot on the prison island of Bastoey. Norway does have solitary confinement cells and high-security wings.

But although it is only one, liberal, end of a penal spectrum, the open prison where inmates wander woods, fields and beaches unhindered is still an important symbol of the Norwegian system. Indeed, to many, it is the jewel in its crown.

"Fundamentally, we believe you have to start with prisoner rehabilitation on day one," Ms Bergersen. "Everybody knows that when you are released in Norway you can be somebody's neighbour.

"It is in the public interest, when it comes to security, that you receive rehabilitation when you are inside the prison system so that you can go out and lead the life that everybody else takes for granted."

Bastoey might be seen as the softest option by some. Its inmates are among the most hardened criminals.

Prisoners are learning new skills

Typically, they are serving long sentences - by Norwegian standards - for the most serious crimes.

Murderers and sex offenders of many different races and nationalities are expected to live peacefully together in small chalets that dot the island.

'In training'

Of course, prisoners who go to Bastoey are carefully selected. Often they are approaching the end of their sentence and release.

In all cases, they are individuals who have decided they could benefit from the lifestyle.

"It's difficult to say that I like being here," says Morten, a 29-year-old Danish man serving a sentence of nearly three years. "But I think if this wasn't a prison, the Norwegian government could rent it out for holidays.

"You are not free, of course. If you tried to escape you would be put back in a normal prison immediately. But if you have to be in prison, this is a good place to be.

"You can do almost whatever you want to. You can walk around the island, play football or hockey or go fishing. In the summer, we have our own beach and you can go there and enjoy the sun."

“Start Quote

I feel like I'm in training”

Lamin Inmate

Morten is in the middle of a training session, learning how to cut planks of wood from the tree trunks he and others have felled in the forest.

Next to him, Lamin, a 30-year-old originally from The Gambia, is wielding a large metal hook and a hammer, jamming the logs into position against a circular saw.

"I used to be a boxer," he says. "I was angry every day, stressed. But since I've come here, I am calm and relaxed.

"I feel like I'm in training - practical job training, but also training to be a better person. It's like a test they are giving me and when I go outside and try to live a normal life I will see if I have passed."

The atmosphere on the island does seem relaxed, almost to the point of sleepiness. An occasional prisoner in jeans and sweatshirt cycles past fields of grazing sheep. There is not a raised voice.

Domestic pride

For the prison's governor, Arne Kvernvik-Nilsen, Bastoey is a personal project, the embodiment of an ethos in which he has the belief of the evangelical.

"If this were a holiday camp for criminals, what's the problem if I can show you the result?" he asks.

The result he refers to is a 16% re-offending rate among former Bastoey inmates. It is by far the lowest in Europe, quite possibly the lowest in the world.

"This island is supposed to be as much as possible like an ordinary small, local Norwegian community. This prison is in many ways the opposite of an ordinary prison. Here, as an inmate, you have to be in charge of your own life, take responsibility.

"I do not believe in this old way of thinking that you should respect me. In order for you to do this, you first have to learn to know what respect is, starting with respect for yourself. Then I can start to talk to you about why you should respect me and my neighbour and your neighbour too."

It would be hard to attack the prison on grounds of expense. Bastoey is significantly cheaper to run than conventional penal institutions. Its proportion of guards to inmates is much lower.

At night, it is normal for four or five unarmed guards to be in charge of 114 inmates. And costs are kept down by the fact that prisoners are expected to manage so many aspects of their own lives, from rubbish collection to cooking and cleaning.

One tattooed inmate asks for a moment to comb his hair and change into a smarter shirt before he is filmed giving a tour of his living quarters with a touching sense of domestic pride.

Asked if he can cook, he replies: "Of course. All Norwegian men can cook." The humanising effects of Bastoey have an unnerving tendency to speak for themselves.

[Guest MattP]

Some serious irony in the Liberal ideals Anders hates will be the same ones that allow to still have an extremely fruitful and enjoyable life while he's locked away.

[Guest]

Convicts in Britian get far too enjoyable a life too.

Make prison a deterrent.

[purpleronnie]

Pretty much every country thinks their prisoners have it easy...they read the odd story about inmate playing a playstation and they assume everything is easy for them.....well go and spend some time in one and well see how easy you think it is...no doubt most people in england think our prisons are softer than everywhere else...well obviously they aren't.....just like those who read stories about immigration and think we have more than every other country....we don't.....such a shame that people base their whole opinion on the odd article they read in a papper...ignoring stories of prisoners being beaten etc.....as for using prison as a deterrant well of course it is to the vast majority, you will always find those not that bothered about being in prison, but if you dont try and rehabilitate whats the point? Most think US prisons are tough and 'hell like', doesnt stop the US having some of the highest crime rates in the world.

[Rincewind]

It is not being inside that is tough for prisoners but when they come out. Often they have lost jobs, education and family. After coming out employers will not take them on. Many jobs need a criminal disclosure. They are drawn into old acquaintances with the attraction of 'easy money' It is hard to say no to them as it is seen as weak and they lose the 'friendship' when many shun them when finding out that they are ex-prisoners without knowing why.

The Norway prison may seem soft but the article does say the ones there are near to the end of their sentences and if they tried to escape would be put in a much tougher prison. And what they said was right in my belief. Before you can respect others you have to respect yourself.

[Daggers]

Convicts in Britian get far too enjoyable a life too.

Make prison a deterrent.

Yes, it totally works in South America and the 19th Century.

[I am Rod Hull]

.

[Guest]

Pretty much every country thinks their prisoners have it easy...they read the odd story about inmate playing a playstation and they assume everything is easy for them.....well go and spend some time in one and well see how easy you think it is...no doubt most people in england think our prisons are softer than everywhere else...well obviously they aren't.....just like those who read stories about immigration and think we have more than every other country....we don't.....such a shame that people base their whole opinion on the odd article they read in a papper...ignoring stories of prisoners being beaten etc.....as for using prison as a deterrant well of course it is to the vast majority, you will always find those not that bothered about being in prison, but if you dont try and rehabilitate whats the point? Most think US prisons are tough and 'hell like', doesnt stop the US having some of the highest crime rates in the world.

Again we differ in view.

When you see the incredibly high rate of re_offenders it's clear that prison is not a deterrent. You could point to all the other social factors that cause people to re-offend and I would sympathise with you but that doesn't affect the fact that prison is not enough of a deterrent.

Prison's are an expensive waste of time for many offenders. Either get the penalty to fit the crime or make use of offenders in general society.

[Guest]

It is not being inside that is tough for prisoners but when they come out. Often they have lost jobs, education and family. After coming out employers will not take them on. Many jobs need a criminal disclosure. They are drawn into old acquaintances with the attraction of 'easy money' It is hard to say no to them as it is seen as weak and they lose the 'friendship' when many shun them when finding out that they are ex-prisoners without knowing why.

The Norway prison may seem soft but the article does say the ones there are near to the end of their sentences and if they tried to escape would be put in a much tougher prison. And what they said was right in my belief. Before you can respect others you have to respect yourself.

They can't get jobs because they are criminals NOT because of being in prison.

[Daggers]

The better the economy the less criminality, it's that simple. Tag on a coherent drugs policy and prisons would start having empty beds to rival all of the closed NHS wards.

Nothing could be more barbaric than some of the prisons I visited in Venezuela and yet there is a very healthy crime rate. The trade-off between getting caught probability and benefit from crime is the deciding factor in carrying out the act not how bad life will be if it all goes tits-up.

[Guest]

Yes, it totally works in South America and the 19th Century.

and you're suggesting that the present system works?

I'm saying the prison system doesn't work and that it's a terrible waste of money.

I'm happy with alternates from either ends of the spectrum. I'd love to think that re-education and the penalty of helping out in the community and modern day "chain gangs" would work. I also have no problem with murderers people killed and rapists having their penises cut off. therefore logically I have no problem with repeat thieves having hands cut off - just as long as the NHS and social security don't have to pay for them doing naff all the rest of their lives - in which case put them on a boat and ship them to somalia or australia.

[Rincewind]

They can't get jobs because they are criminals NOT because of being in prison.

So somebody that bought some dodgy gear at the age of 17 should never be given a job after spending 3 months inside?

After serving a sentence you are not a criminal unless you re-offend and not having any prospect of getting a job is an excuse to do that.

[Guest]

The better the economy the less criminality, it's that simple. Tag on a coherent drugs policy and prisons would start having empty beds to rival all of the closed NHS wards.

Nothing could be more barbaric than some of the prisons I visited in Venezuela and yet there is a very healthy crime rate. The trade-off between getting caught probability and benefit from crime is the deciding factor in carrying out the act not how bad life will be if it all goes tits-up.

I think you are simply arguing that Prisons don't work. Which is my point too. So why bother with a nice prison? So that we feel better about ourselves?

[Guest]

So somebody that bought some dodgy gear at the age of 17 should never be given a job after spending 3 months inside?

That's a problem with the penal code then.

Personally I don't think of a purchaser of stolen goods as a criminal. The thief is a criminal but if it's not against the person it's not a terrible crime.

whether the guy spends time inside or not doesn't change anything for me. Their are many criminals who don't get caught. Again a reason I'm saying that prisons are a waste of time.

If someone needs to be locked away to keep the public safe they should be killed, otherwise find an alternative way to punish a criminal.

[davieG]

and you're suggesting that the present system works?

I'm saying the prison system doesn't work and that it's a terrible waste of money.

I'm happy with alternates from either ends of the spectrum. I'd love to think that re-education and the penalty of helping out in the community and modern day "chain gangs" would work. I also have no problem with murderers people killed and rapists having their penises cut off. therefore logically I have no problem with repeat thieves having hands cut off - just as long as the NHS and social security don't have to pay for them doing naff all the rest of their lives - in which case put them on a boat and ship them to somalia or australia.

This type seems to be working

"If this were a holiday camp for criminals, what's the problem if I can show you the result?" he asks.

The result he refers to is a 16% re-offending rate among former Bastoey inmates.

It is by far the lowest in Europe, quite possibly the lowest in the world.

[Rincewind]

http://insidenoutuk.wordpress.com/

It helps to do research. People do go to prison for receiving stolen goods. Also for not paying a TV license, bills or any other petty crime. They also lose their job and find it duifficult to find another one. Young people brought up on rough estates who are involved in actions such as car jacking return to the area where they committed the crime, associate with the same people and when filling out job application forms are turned down when filling the part that says 'Do you have ANY criminal convictions?'

[Guest]

This type seems to be working

but how large is the sample size and what crimes have these people comitted. They may be crimes that I would suggest don't need imprisonment at all, but re-education and community penance.

[Guest]

It helps to do research.

When getting a job too Nightguard.

[acooling08]

Prison conditions should always be the lowest of the low imo. A tramp on the street should be able to look at a prison and be glad he isn't in there, not wish he was.

Think about how much money could be saved by stopping all luxarys in prisons.

[davieG]

but how large is the sample size and what crimes have these people comitted. They may be crimes that I would suggest don't need imprisonment at all, but re-education and community penance.

Did you even read the article/

Typically, they are serving long sentences - by Norwegian standards - for the most serious crimes.

Murderers and sex offenders of many different races and nationalities are expected to live peacefully together in small chalets that dot the island.

[stourbridgefox]

That prison isn't representative of all prisons in Norway and Brievik will not be held there.

The idea behind the prison is that it is a model of Norwegian life, so prisoners coming to the end of their sentences can re-adapt to normal life. The proof is in the re-offending rate which is 16% which could be the lowest in the world.

I have visited a couple of prisons in this country and they are not pleasant places. It is true that some inmates have luxuries but these have to be earned as part of behavioural programs. If you don't stick to the rules, you end up in a tiny cell, on your own, with 30 minutes exercise a day.

My biggest problem with UK prisons is that they seem to function as 'crime academies.' People leave them physically stronger, bitter and better able to commit crimes than when they went in.

With prisons, as with many things, I think we could learn from Norway;.

[Guest BlueBrett]

Reoffending rates always make me laugh! How the hell do they know unless they are assuming that every crime is reported and every culprit is caught? Ridiculous to premise an argument on such a nonsense figure. The country with the world's lowest reoffending rate may well just be the country with the world's shittest police.

[Guest MattP]

From what I've heard (2 close mates jailed) it's not that bad over here, but it's also not where you would choose to be.

[Guest]

Did you even read the article/

"Typically" doesn't really tell me anything. Hard stats are needed. How long does it take murderers to re-offend usually? How long has this "experiment" been running? How many murderers actually re-offend? How many less murderers would re-offend if we simply said "don't do it again" to them?

Unless I'm a serial murderer and therefore mentally abnormal, I'd probably have no real need to re-offend after my sentence. So justice in Norway is that a man can murder a member of my family, then go and live on a very nice island in pretty good conditions before being released back into society.

I don't see that as justice.

Sex offenders. abuse and ruin the life of a few children, live on an island, don't get caught again for abusing children.

I'm sorry but the whole idea is abhorrent. The very least I'd want to castration of the offender.

again, my point is that prisons don't work - maybe this article is trying to argue that holiday camps would be a better solution.

[The Doctor]

"Typically" doesn't really tell me anything. Hard stats are needed. How long does it take murderers to re-offend usually? How long has this "experiment" been running? How many murderers actually re-offend? How many less murderers would re-offend if we simply said "don't do it again" to them?

Unless I'm a serial murderer and therefore mentally abnormal, I'd probably have no real need to re-offend after my sentence. So justice in Norway is that a man can murder a member of my family, then go and live on a very nice island in pretty good conditions before being released back into society.

I don't see that as justice.

Sex offenders. abuse and ruin the life of a few children, live on an island, don't get caught again for abusing children.

I'm sorry but the whole idea is abhorrent. The very least I'd want to castration of the offender.

again, my point is that prisons don't work - maybe this article is trying to argue that holiday camps would be a better solution.

no, try reading the article - Justice in Norway is that a man can murder a member of your family, spend the majority of his sentence in a normal prison, then go and live on Bastoey for a while before his release, then be released.

And that the number of prisoners per 100,000 of the population in Norway is a tenth of that of America suggests it works quite well.