A look at how much better the rehabilitation system could be. This was a look behind the scenes of how Halden prison does things vs how Attica does things. Totally opposite points of view shown. It was very interesting to watch and the pacing, narration and camera style were all pretty well done. I enjoyed this movies and would recommend it to anyone wanting to see how things could potentially be. Although it was kind of sad to see how much work and how hard it would be to change the system currently in place.
3 Reviews
Fascinating look at the prison system
maccas-563678 February 2019
Fascinating stuff, ultimately about just treating fellow humans as humans, with kindness and respect.
There's no question that America's prisons are far too preoccupied with security and holding people than they do actual rehabilitation - my incarcerated friends in the US prison system tell me those exact things.
This short doco makes you question things. The exercise the Norwegian warden does with the US inmates was intriguing - a murderer wanting a couch, when I'm sure his victim probably just wants to breathe again.
Things sometimes feel a little strange when someone from one country starts judging how things are done in another country. Norway has a prison population of about 4,000 people, compared to the US prison population of some 2.3 million - so, uh, is it really a fair comparison? In some ways, I would say no. It would be a little like an Australian walking around the US bragging about their successful gun legislation.
Norwegians are different people to Americans, and what might work in one culture, may not work in another. In saying that, the culture of revenge and continued punishment needs to be addressed in many prisons throughout the world.
Side note: I wouldn't mind living in a Norwegian prison - food looked delicious and they get badass recording studios.
There's no question that America's prisons are far too preoccupied with security and holding people than they do actual rehabilitation - my incarcerated friends in the US prison system tell me those exact things.
This short doco makes you question things. The exercise the Norwegian warden does with the US inmates was intriguing - a murderer wanting a couch, when I'm sure his victim probably just wants to breathe again.
Things sometimes feel a little strange when someone from one country starts judging how things are done in another country. Norway has a prison population of about 4,000 people, compared to the US prison population of some 2.3 million - so, uh, is it really a fair comparison? In some ways, I would say no. It would be a little like an Australian walking around the US bragging about their successful gun legislation.
Norwegians are different people to Americans, and what might work in one culture, may not work in another. In saying that, the culture of revenge and continued punishment needs to be addressed in many prisons throughout the world.
Side note: I wouldn't mind living in a Norwegian prison - food looked delicious and they get badass recording studios.
Surprise: Criminals enjoy free luxury condos
balazsjason8 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The Warden of the prison from Norway has an interesting system. His prison serves excellent meals and has a high staff to inmate ratio.
The prison in America had recently installed update security equipment which enhanced the feeling of safety among inmates.
The Norwegian prison has a luxury, high class restaurant inside. Literally, it's not a joke. For committing a crime, the inmate & proprietor/chef was rewarded by being allowed to live and start a business for free - something law abiding citizens have quite a hard time doing. The American prison had small but well-kept cells and a safe work environment for inmates to learn skills to reenter the job market.
In short; the Norwegians give their inmates a luxury experience-incentive for committing a crime. The warden was very smug and, surprisingly, seems to be genuinely surprised that America won't reward rapists, drug dealers, and murderers with luxurious amenities.
I'll give the warden from Norway some credit, though, he made a good point about relations between officers and inmates; they could use some restructuring. It's a good point, but it's the only one he made.
There's a middle ground here, and it's reachable. I'm disappointed, though, that this documentary portrays the Norwegian option as the only one. I'm giving it a rating of four starts for its decent production value.
The prison in America had recently installed update security equipment which enhanced the feeling of safety among inmates.
The Norwegian prison has a luxury, high class restaurant inside. Literally, it's not a joke. For committing a crime, the inmate & proprietor/chef was rewarded by being allowed to live and start a business for free - something law abiding citizens have quite a hard time doing. The American prison had small but well-kept cells and a safe work environment for inmates to learn skills to reenter the job market.
In short; the Norwegians give their inmates a luxury experience-incentive for committing a crime. The warden was very smug and, surprisingly, seems to be genuinely surprised that America won't reward rapists, drug dealers, and murderers with luxurious amenities.
I'll give the warden from Norway some credit, though, he made a good point about relations between officers and inmates; they could use some restructuring. It's a good point, but it's the only one he made.
There's a middle ground here, and it's reachable. I'm disappointed, though, that this documentary portrays the Norwegian option as the only one. I'm giving it a rating of four starts for its decent production value.
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