Pros And Cons Of Recidivism

Ashley Penner

Honors English 10, 4th hour

April 3, 2023

Mrs. Crandle

Research Outline

Prison or College?

In the 1990s, about 70% of all released prisoners recommitted crimes within two years of their release in Norway–that is the same recidivism rate the United States has today (Rehabilitation 1). But now, in Norway, the recidivism rate is 20% making it the lowest in the world (Loeffler 2). Additionally, Norway is noticing an overall decrease in criminal activity (Denny 4). Out of Norway’s 57 prisons, 70% of them are considered high-security prisons; even within these high security prisons there are minimal assaults, riots, and escape attempts. (Rehabilitation 2). Norway’s recidivism rate is the lowest in the world because of the earned trust

During incarceration, all prisoners have the right to vote, attend school, and see their families (Creating 1).

One of Norway’s major prison philosophies is that by respecting prisoners as human beings the reintegration process back into the community will be trouble free (Denny 10).

At Halden Prison, a maximum security prison, inmates do not have to share a cell with another individual; their cells include many amenities like a flat screen TV, many windows, and their own private bathroom (Loeffler 6).

Norway expresses that the main purpose of punishment is rehabilitation instead of retribution (Creating 2).

Some countries have large and centralized jails while Norway has small, community based prisons (Rehabilitation 2).

These correctional facilities based in communities allow inmates to stay close to their homes and remain in contact with their friends and family. (Rehabilitation 3).

This support system will help mitigate the reintegration process for an inmate and discourage them from committing another crime (Denny 8).

One way that Norway has decreased its recidivism rate is by giving inmates a parallel work environment that mimics life outside of the prison

In addition, the income the inmates receive will help them the first few days after being released.

Some inmates become homeless immediately after being released from prison because of their lack of money (Loeffler 4).

This lack of money could also lead them to commit crimes along the lines of theft and drug deals.

With the income obtained from work within the prison, inmates can pay for food, clothes, and shelter while they look for a job outside of prison.

All of Norway’s prisons offer counseling services, including drug and anti violence, workshops, school, and job training (Rehabilitation 3).

Norway’s divergent prison system methods have been proven effective by the decrease of recidivism rate from 70% to 20%. With these unprecedented relapse rates, Norway can be a model for other countries. Because of the relationship between the people of Norway and the state authority, the guarantee that prisoners' humanity will be maintained, and the idea of the prison’s purpose being rehabilitation, Norway achieved the world’s lowest recidivism rate.

Ashley Penner

Honors English 10, 4th