Norwegian Prison System Case Study

Norwegian Criminal Justice: The Reasons

Behind the Success of the Norwegian Prison System

Criminal justice has always been a controversial issue ever since the birth of the mass incarceration, an unusual increase in the number of incarcerated people over the past 40 years. The United States’ population is only 1/20 of the world’s population (Lee, 2015). However, one fourth of prisoners in the world is currently sheltering in the United States’ prisons (Lee, 2015). Comparing to 1974, this number is quadrupled (Lee, 2015). Both the American government and the Norwegian government are democratic. However, Norway is in a completely different scenario. In recent years, Norway is known for having the lowest criminal recidivism rate in the world

Benko met a guy named Tom alone with no security nearby(Benko, 2015). Tom lives in the section of prisoners that are convicted of weapons possession, assault, or murder(Benko, 2015). Noticing Benko’s shock, Tom said to her ,“ It’s ok”(Benko, 2015). Tom continued to calm her,“ If you want to ask me something, come on, no problem”(Benko, 2015). Based on Tom, the prison is really quiet , “No drugs, no fighting, no problem”(Benko, 2015). On rare occasions when inmates do fight, officers brings them together to be therapized until the quarrel is solved and they agree to shake hands(Benko, 2015). Tom appreciates Norwegian government for giving him a chance, “I don’t leave Norway, I love my country.”(Benko,

Hofer, Lappi-Seppälä, and Westfelt (2010) cooperated on a research paper to report Nordic Criminal Statistics from 1950 to 1960. Nordic countries that are mentioned in Hofer et al’s research paper includes Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway ( Hofer et al, 2010). In general, Norway’s conviction has risen since 1950. However comparing to the other three Nordic countries, Norway’s rate of change is the smallest. It also have a Hofer et al categorized crimes into different categories: homicide, assault, rape, robbery, theft, and drugs ( Hofer et al, 2010). Norway’s average homicide rate is the lowest out of all the average homicide rate ( Hofer et al, 2010). The rate sits around 0.5 per 100,000 people ( Hofer et al, 2010). Norway’s assault rate and its rate of change from 1950 to 2010 are only higher than Denmark ( Hofer et al, 2010). Norway’s robbery rate ‘s rate of change is also the lowest of of the four Nordic countries. Norway and Finland both places on the bottom of theft rate. In general, Norway’s rate of all criminal code offences has always been the lowest of the four Nordic countries since