Northern Europe’s approach to incarceration, with a focus on dignity, offers a model that could inspire and support reform initiatives within the United States’ correctional system. This method is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but the principles of harm reduction are starting to take root in American correctional practices, potentially reducing recidivism and the overcrowding crisis in prisons.
In late 2022, the Brennan Center organized trips with correctional staff, leaders, and policymakers to Norway and Germany to explore these countries’ criminal justice systems. The first visit to Norway was arranged by Amend, a group based at the University of California, San Francisco, aiming to inspire U.S. prison reform. A subsequent visit to Berlin was facilitated by the Vera Institute of Justice to learn about Germany’s system. Both trips highlighted the strong commitment of these countries to uphold human rights and the dignity of individuals in the penal system.
For over two decades, U.S. correctional personnel and policymakers have looked to Northern Europe for guidance on reforming prisons. These visits have initiated changes in states such as California, Michigan, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington.
U.S. initiatives inspired by these trips include the Restoring Promise Initiative by Vera, which focuses on creating dignified housing for young adults in prison, and Little Scandinavia, a pilot program in Pennsylvania implementing Scandinavian correctional practices. The Washington Way, a collaboration with Amend, aims to overhaul prison policies in Washington state. Amend is also active in states like California, North Dakota, and Oregon, promoting safer prisons. Furthermore, organizations such as One Voice advocate for reduced harm in prisons, supported by research from Arnold Ventures evaluating the impact of these programs on prison violence and recidivism.
Key Elements of Northern European Correctional Systems
Normalization
Both Germany and Norway operate under the philosophy that prison life should closely mirror life outside, minimizing institutional damage. Incarcerated individuals often have private cells and bathrooms. Norway features open-air prisons where inmates live in houses without constant correctional supervision and engage in activities like commuting to work or classes.
Professionalization of Corrections
Norway and Germany place significant emphasis on training correctional staff. Norwegian officers undergo a two-year training program at the Norwegian Correctional Academy, leading to a bachelor’s degree. Similarly, German officers receive 18 to 24 months of training. This contrasts sharply with the limited training of U.S. correctional officers, which can be as short as six weeks.
Dynamic Security
A core aspect of these prison systems is “dynamic security,” emphasizing human relationships over control. This involves officers engaging with inmates personally, a practice just beginning to gain traction in the U.S. but is limited by anti-fraternization policies.
Import Model
Norway implements an “import model” where public services like health and education are provided within prisons by the same agencies serving the community. This model, borrowed from Sweden, ensures continuity and quality of services. For instance, prison libraries are equivalent to community libraries, managed by the Ministry of Education rather than correctional services.
Challenges and Adaptations for the U.S.
While Norway and Germany’s systems are often seen as exemplary, they face their own challenges, such as increasing visitation frequency and providing digital access. Moreover, differences in prison populations—Germany and Norway’s combined 61,000 inmates versus nearly 2 million in the U.S.—and socio-economic frameworks pose challenges for applying these models directly in the U.S.
Norwegian prisons are experiencing staffing shortages, a problem mirrored in the U.S., where the number of corrections officers has been declining. Despite these challenges, certain policies from Northern Europe could be trialed in the U.S. to innovate and improve the correctional system.
Dr. Brie Williams from Amend promotes viewing correctional work as centering on health, rehabilitation, and dignity. Nick Turner from the Vera Institute encourages questioning ineffective practices in U.S. prisons.
The Brennan Center aims to support efforts to create more humane prison environments in the U.S. by later releasing a report detailing initiatives that have enhanced staff retention and improved reentry outcomes. These initiatives aim to foster a justice system that is fair, humane, and effective, a goal aligned across political lines.
