Halden, the second largest prison in Norway
The Halden prison is a maximum security prison located in Halden, Norway. It is made up of three main units without any "conventional" security devices. Nothing you would usually associate with a prison! It is also the second largest prison in Norway. The concept of this unique prison? To simulate life outside of prison.
The Halden prison even received an award for its interior design in 2010 (the Arnstein Arneberg prize) and has been praised for its humane conditions. However, this opinion is not shared by everyone. Indeed, as a maximum security prison, the criminals housed there are both dangerous and very dangerous. Rapists, murderers, and child abusers, they're all there...
A controversial prison
Of course, as soon as a documentary about it was released, Halden prison created a buzz because it was deemed "too liberal"... Here, no towers, no barbed wire, no electric fence, but rather common areas and workshops. With surveillance cameras, nevertheless. The prisoners do sports, music, and various artistic activities.s.
We do note, however, that this rehabilitation-focused approach is proving successful... Very few violent incidents are reported, and if there is a conflict between inmates, a mediation session is organized under the supervision of staff. The arguments are therefore rather positive although unsettling... The cells are approximately 10 square meters and have the basics of a small studio apartment. Modern TV, desk, mini-fridge, toilet, shower, and window without bars...
Prisoners can buy ingredients from the prison grocery store to prepare their meals (even though the prison usually provides food) and common areas with a kitchen and living room are available every 10 to 12 cells. While the observation of the inmates' behavior is rather encouraging, it is still difficult for this prison to not raise certain moral questions and a lot of perplexity!
