PRISON REHABILITATION IN NORDIC COUNTRIES - COMING TO THE BOP AND STATES, MAYBE.

One striking way Nordic countries differ in rehabilitating prisoners is through food—appetizing and delicious food. This stark contrast to the often harsh and punitive approaches in other countries is a testament to their unique perspective on rehabilitation.

In an interview with Katie Couric, Director Peters’ approach is similar to how prisons are run in Norway, where the focus behind bars is more on rehabilitation and promoting a humane approach. Make a Better Neighbors, by rehabilitating Adults In Custody (AIC).

The Challenges;

The Pandemic added to the Shortages in staffing.

The BOP, working with The DOJ, addresses staff criminal activity.

• Her training started in Psychology at the College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, Minnesota.
• Master's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado in Denver.

In 2017, she toured Norwegian prisons, which inspired her to reform the Oregon system.

• The Norwegian system focuses on preparing people to live law-abiding lives, rather than just changing pages.?

Former Director of the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) since 2012.

• Chair of the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board and a
• Past Vice President of the Association of State Correctional Administrators.

Her career started in public safety as a Victim Advocate and Crisis Mediator with the Denver Police Department.

• Private Prep School (that included wrap-around resources) in Minneapolis allowed her to compare the populations with those in the Oregon Department of Corrections, who were provided no extras.

Mass Incarceration Needs:

1) Changes to Laws as to who goes to prison and for how long.

2) Education and relevant Jobs inside for all.

3) Safer Prisons

RECIDIVISM

Norway, how they view inmates leaving Prisons and returning home.

• They welcome them because they've Created Good Neighbors.
• Our problems are a lack of housing, drugs, medical and mental healthcare, and job preparation.

Current State of Affairs

• Safety and Security are Important, both Inside for Staff and 'AIC,' alike.
• Drug Treatment programs are good.
• For most coming into prison, there is a need for medical and Mental Healthcare.
• Drug Treatment before criminal activity obviates the need for most, to be incarcerated.

NORWAY - THE OREGON WAY, AND WHAT SHE LEARNED

• NORWAY'S TRIGGER: INCREASED PTSD AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WERE PROBLEMS AMONG STAFF.
• In Oregon, she looked to NORWAY and how their staff is organized.
• She instituted an Officer Exchange with NORWAY, so each could learn from the other.
• Norway's approach (without the SHU) is to create a community.
• Correction Staff Training: BOP- 2 weeks, Norway- 2 years.

In Norway inmates cook together, eat together – and sometimes even forage together. It puts the U.S. and Britain’s rat-infested facilities to shame.

Research suggests that good nutrition not only improves wellbeing, security and safety in prisons, it may have an effect on rehabilitation and keep people from returning to prison.

If only 30% of Nordic prisoners end up back inside within two years, their humane approach to incarceration is letting inmates cook their own prison food.

In Denmark, 65% of the prisoners cook their own meals using kitchens that they share with around six other inmates. They collaborate on meal planning and budgeting and go shopping twice a week for ingredients from the prison's in-house grocery store. They eat together, often in the presence of prison officers. Those who are less confident in the kitchen quickly learn important cooking skills from their peers.

• One inmate mentioned that he was able to "live healthily and eat clean" in this environment. He added that he was able to cook for himself, exercise, spend time outdoors, and keep in touch with his family. He even bakes cakes for his children when they visit. According to him, he feels he is in the best possible position to reintegrate into society.

At Storstr?m's Prison, the catering manager is leading a unique initiative that not only benefits the kitchen staff but also the inmates. The manager has enrolled every kitchen worker, including the prisoners, in a four-year culinary diploma program. This training program will equip the prisoners with the same high-level qualifications as the managers, giving them a skill set that will be invaluable for their future careers.

• Here, the kitchen staff carefully prepared homemade Greek meatballs with couscous and feta, each step executed with care and attention to detail. Danish law also requires the kitchen's nutritionist to measure the nutritional breakdown of each dish and display it to prisoners. This practice ensures that the inmates are receiving healthy and balanced meals that meet their dietary needs.
• This initiative not only provides the inmates with valuable skills but also instills a sense of purpose and pride in their work. As a result, the inmates are better equipped to re-enter society once their sentence is served. The program is a win-win for everyone involved, and it is a shining example of how rehabilitation programs can positively impact the lives of those in the criminal justice system.

At Sulkava Prison in Finland, prisoners fish for their dinner and gather mushrooms and lingonberries from the nearby woodland. One of the prisoners shared that being able to cook for himself gives him a sense of normality, dignity, and self-sufficiency.

Imagine a prison where inmates are treated with dignity and respect. At Suomenlinna Prison, located off the coast of Helsinki, this is the norm. Prisoners queued in an orderly fashion at the dining hall to help themselves with fresh rye bread and salad from the buffet. This is a testament to the fact that a fair and just system can help in the rehabilitation of offenders.

Scandinavian prisons focus on rehabilitating prisoners.

There is no punishment so effective as punishment that nowhere announces the intention to punish.

Norway’s Prison System- Lets Look at a Few

In Norway, the prison system is different from that of the United States and the United Kingdom. Instead of large, centralized jails, Norway has a network of small correctional facilities that are located in the community. These facilities prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society. The Norwegian government believes that it is essential for prisoners to remain close to their homes, so they can maintain relationships with their family and friends.

Halden Prison, located near the Swedish border, is considered one of the most humane and luxurious maximum security prisons in the world, spanning 75 acres. The cells available for incarcerated individuals are designed to resemble dorm rooms rather than traditional jail cells and are offered as single-prisoner units. Each room comes equipped with a private bathroom, a flat-screen television, and a window to gaze out at the leafy scenery.

Bastoy Prison is a unique open island prison that does not have any fences or walls to prevent prisoners from escaping. However, prisoners choose to stay because the incentives provided by the prison are so high. Bastoy prison allows conjugal visits with spouses, provides access to a school, workshops, and recreational activities, and offers anti-violence and drug counseling.

Prisoners who attempt to escape are transferred to prisons with lower-quality amenities. As a result, it is not surprising that there has only been one escape attempt in the history of Bastoy Prison.

EMULATING THOSE SUCCESSFUL PRISONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE OUR RATES OF RECIDIVISM

So, maybe our first step could be humane treatment and individual food preparation could be one of the Nuggets in Director Peter's next 'new thing.'

My experience is that there are already Adults In Custody (AIC) doing this, but if this was integrated, for example into the FSA Program - for special units, what a great way to start.

Why?

• Prison controls everything one can do, including eating, sleeping, using the bathroom, standing up, and so on. 'Respect' is a critical word and action to life inside, followed by food and freedom. This could be a Natural addition to The FSA Programs.

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Marc, Dr. Blatstein

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