Norway’s Prison

Norway, which is located in the Northern part of Europe, has a vast economy with universal health care, great schools, and a stable social security system. Norway’s prisons are idealized models for reformers in the United States who are trying to accomplish this with American prisons. American prisons are known for their level of violence and the sophistication of gangs who dominate most American prisons. On the other hand, Norway prisons are known for the level of confidence and humane methods prisons are constructed. Norway’s recidivism rate is in the low 20 percent unlike the US, which has a rate of 50 to 60 percent (Adams, 2010). The low recidivism rate could have a correlation with Norway’s low crime rate. News articles provide strong support for the prisons as well as the King of Norway. The strong emphasis placed on rehabilitation is clearly apparent, but considering the cost is the expenditure worth utilizing on criminals.

            One example of the prisons Norway built is Halden, recently opened in April 2010; the prison has vast luxuries in all rooms as well as outside the prison. The prison includes resources such as libraries, jogging trails, sounds studios, cooking courses, and a visiting house outside the prison where inmates with their families can sleep (Adams, 2010). There are no bars in the rooms but each room includes a flat screen TV, mini fridge, a desk, a chair and a resembles college dorm rooms. The prison holds criminals from those who committed murder, robberies, rape and other notable crimes (Chen, 2010).

            The idea of the prison is not based on punishment but on a method of rehabilitation. The focus in on respect and human rights said Governor Hoidal. In contrast to the repressive and brutal ways of American prisons, Halden has its foundation on the treatment of inmates (pupils) and the improvement of pupils to integrate into the community (Adams, 2010). Guards at the prison don’t have guns, but have strong relationships with pupils and are seen as lead figures to inmates who are also considered pupils (Chen, 2010). Work is emphasized to help inmates gain confidence as well as skills for a successful integration into society (Adams, 2010).

            In response to the Halden, the prison seems to good to be true, criminals have freedoms that no criminal should have, especially those criminals who have committed crimes like murder, robbery and rape. The prison is set at a cap of 252 inmates with a cost of 252 million to build (Adams, 2010). The price seems to high to only house 252 inmates and the prison does raise suspicions of what level of inmates the prison will hold.  Considering the cost of the prison, the prison could be excluded to those offenders who are rich, instead of those criminals who come from poor communities. One great example surfaces when testimony by an inmate is used to explain that the prison is not hard, the inmate is a music teacher on the outside, not career criminal.  

            This level of trust on inmates can never be successfully integrated in the American prison system, but the level of education offered can be successful (Chen, 2010). Historically such prisons have been successful and inmates are able to integrate back into society with a special emphasis on education (Gehring and Wright, 2008). Schools promote civility and produce prisoners better prepared for a role in civilization (Gehring and Wright, 2008). Another benefit of schools in prisons is that it combats the aggressive style of most prisons (Gehring and Wright, 2008). Lastly the focus of school is geared towards truths and respect, as is the rehabilitation method of the Halden prison (Gehrign and Wright, 2008).

References

Adams, William Lee. (2010). Norway Builds the World’s Most Humane Prison. Time

Magazine. May 10^th.  CNN. www.time.com

Chen, Te-Ping. (2010). Inside Norway’s Idyllic Prisons. Change News. May 5^th.

Change.org

Gehring, Thorn., and Wright, Randall., (2008). From Spheres of Civility to Public

Spheres: Democracy and Citizenship in the Big House. Journal of Correctional Education. 59 (4). Decemeber 2008.

                                          Halden Prison Sound Studio

                                            Halden Prison

                                           Halden Prison Cell

Russian Control

            Russian prisons, similar to American prisons, have a brutal history of tyranny, brutality, and corruption. During the rule of Joseph Stalin, Gulags were created which represented hard labor camps for Russian prisoners. The Gulag term, translated in english stands for the Soviet Bureaucratic Institution. Prisons were created on the basis of the Gulag, hard labor and strong psychological rehabilitation (gulag.org). Prisons ranged in locations from extreme climate conditions to city locations such as Moscow (gulag.org). Unsanitary conditions, violence, and poor health led an increase in high death rates during Stalin’s rule. Now, there is information that both supports the Gulags continue while other sources argue that brutality in prisons is to a minimum. Evidence would indicate that Russian prisons are moderately harsher on inmates than American prisons.

            Climate conditions is a big factor in Russian prisons. Prisons in the outskirts of Russia such as those near Siberia are extremely cold and some prisons have no temperature controls. Stones, concrete, and ice surround the prison during winter climates. Temperatures drop below -40 degrees fahrenheit and the only way to keep warm is to wear layers (Parfitt, 2005). Although not as difficult as the Gulag era where prisoners would work in freezing temperatures digging at frozen dirt, extreme climates can make living conditions difficult (gulag.org). Unlike American prisons where civil rights groups have fought for safe conditions, most Russian prisons are based on the notion of the Gulag.

            Another issue in Russian prisons is violence. Testimony of abuse was reported to the National Public Radio News which argued that inmates were being tortured by prison guards (Feifer, 2008). The article testifies that such violence has occurred for centuries and if not stopped, will spread to other systems of government. Human Rights groups argue that such torture prisons exist which are aimed to destroy men psychologically and drive inmates to suicide (Feifer, 2008). Prison authorities deny any allegations of torture by explaining that government officials constantly monitor prisons and investigate any complaints (Feifer, 2008). In 2010, Russian Billionaire Mikhail Khordokovsky told the Foreign Policy News Company about the harsh conditions he suffered thorough in a Siberian prison (Hounshell, 2010). The article continues to explain how the prisons use stronger elite inmates to keep order among other inmates by using brutal force (Hounhell, 2010).

            In contrast, Russian Profile released a video explaining how structured, clean, and safe Russian prisons were. Butyrka prison is known in Russia as Alcatraz is known in the United States. Butyrka has help many famous leaders and has been known for its violent and harsh conditions. Butyrka is now known as a detention center and testimony by inmates contradict stories of violence and poor health (russianprofile, 2011). The video explains that the prison has a restaurant where inmates can choose what they want to eat and testimony also explains that inmates find the prison in better conditions than their communities (russianprofile, 2011).

            Its apparent that there is more evidence to support violent conditions of prisons than their is to deny them. Prisons were not meant to be easy, but insufferable conditions of prisons are violations to civil rights. In regards the the video explaining how clean and productive Butyrka prison is, the information would be acceptable if different conditions were present while the footage was taken. It is not known whether or not guards intimidated or forced inmates to lie about the safe conditions in Butyrka prison or whether the statements are true. Piacentini (2006) argues that no regions of Russian are alike, and due to the fall of the Soviet Power, prisons adopted different forms of punishment. Western Russian prisons leaned more towards rehabilitation of  inmates while prisons in the outskirts of Russian leaned more towards punishment (Piacentini, 2006). Piacentini explains that another issues regarding whether or not prisons are humane is funding, no funding equals inmates bartering for necessities. Overall, Russian prisons are not similar to American prison, but one factor that should be taken into consideration when deciding conditions of prisons is the fact that Russian history has always been of communist control.

References

Feifer, Gregory. (2008). Former Inmates Allege Russian Torture Prisons. NPR National Public             Radio News. Public Broadcasting PBS

Gulag History. (2011). Soviet Formed Labor Camps and Struggle for Freedom. Gulaghistory.org.             www.gulaghistory.org/nps/

Hounshell, Blake. (2010). What are Russian Prisons Like. Foreign Policy News Company.             Division Washington Post. Dec 28, 2010.

Parfit, Tom. (2005). Welcome to Penal Colony Yag 14/10 Now he home of Riches Russian. The             Guardian. October 25, 2005.

Piacentini, Laura., and Pleshkova, Olga. (2006). Surviving Russian Prisons, Economy and             Politics in Trasition by Laura Piacentini. Human Rights Law Review. Nottingham:2006.             6(1).

Russian Profile. (2011) Touring Russia’s Legendary Butyrka Prison. Russian Profile.org             Unwrapping the mystery inside the enigma. Video. 4--2011

Japanese Prisons

            After World War II, secrets leaked out explaining that the Japanese and Nazis were conducting experiments on their enemies and their prison population to determine whether or not their weapons were effective.  Decades later, Japanese Prison System still resembles the harsh discipline that was endured during WWII. Prisons inmates from Fuchu, Fokuoka, and Nagoya Prison can all offer testimony of their turmoil and torment inside the prison, resembling the prisons of third world countries. According to the Department of State, Japanese prisons resemble a militaristic style of control to achieve safety for inmates and staff (2011). Western and Eastern Prison practices differ, considering our staff unions and OSHA standards, Western practices are more lenient on inmates than those placed on Japanese inmates. 

            The western approach towards inmates is punishment, while the Japanese Criminal Justice System is focused more on civil order (Hill, 2009). Hill (2009), gives one great example where police enforce forgiveness statements instead of incarceration, to make the citizen feel at peace. Japan has a low incarceration rate, 63 per 100,000 compared to 750 per 100,000 in the US (Reutter, 2010). The prison population is low, as well as the cost per inmate to incarcerate. On average, it cost approximately $14.50 per day to house an inmate in Fuchu Prison, one of the largest prisons in Japan (Hill, 2009). In the United States it cost around $135 dollars per day to house an inmate.  Unlike American Prisons, Japanese prisons impose strict military discipline to maintain the safety and security of both staff and inmates (USDS, 2011).  Due to the harsh regulations, staff can have complete control of the prisons and its prisoners (USDS, 2011).  Inmates are told how to sit, walk, eat, sleep, talk, and bow. Those who incorrectly conduct movements are punished (USDS, 2011).

            The public face of Japanese prisons is kept to impress the public and prove that the system used is effective and constructive. ABC Australia (2008), argued that the truth behind what really goes on behind Japanese prison is kept secret and is closely guarded. Strict and unnecessary punishments are enforced on inmates who break the rules. Some unbearable conditions are said to exist behind prison walls including unsanitary solitary confinement cells, low medical attention, and death causing incidents controlled by the staff ( ABC, 2008). Terrance Sheard was incarcerated in Fuchu Prison and transferred to an American prison in 2005. He described the conditions of Fuchu prison, as horrific, unbearable, and disgusting (Sheard, 2005).  He argued that Fuchu prison was inhumane, and tortured him by making him sit in his cell, facing the door for long periods of time (Sheard, 2005). 

            There are two arguments presented, one argues that the system is effective while the other argues that Japanese Prisons are cruel and inhumane. The strongest argument would be the fact that Japanese Prisons are effective in controlling violence inside prisons by using strict military enforcement. The military style of discipline is used to break down old behaviors of inmates and initiate to cooperation among inmates (USDS, 2011).  Inmates sleep in cells with up to 8 inmates, which is not a custom of Western practices. There is no strong evidence to indicate that Japanese prisons are disease infested, unsanitary, cruel, inhumane, or secretive. The only information available to indicate that Japanese prisons are inhumane is testimony by inmates who were released from such prisons.

            In Western practices, prisons don’t have military style discipline, which may be one reason why some prisons are run by Security Threat Groups. Considering that the cost is much less in Japanese prisons and they are still able to offer vocational and educational programs, Western prisons need to come up with new solutions to save money. With response to the treatment inside prisons, no real proof has been established that such conditions exist. Only single incidents reports of Staff assaults on inmates have been accounted for which is almost any prison around the world (ABC, 2008).

References

ABC Australia. (2008).  January 8, 2008. “Harsh Justice, Japan”. Australia.:

Journeyman Pictures.

Hill, Gary. (2009). Japan’s Correction Bureau. Corrections Compendium. Criminal

Justice Periodicals. 4(34), 36.

Reutter, David M., (2010). Over 10 Million In Prison Worldwide. Prison Legal News.

2(4), 59.

Sheard, Terrance D., (2005). Release From A Japanese Prison. Foreign Prisoner

Support Service, Save a Life. Los Angeles, CA. Mar 11, 2011.

United States Department of State. USDS (2011) Mar 3. Fuchu Prison. Embassy Of

             the United States. Tokyo, Japan. 

                                           Cell Block No interaction between inmates

Rwandan Prison

            Until 1963, Alcatraz served as an island prison for the most notorious criminals like Al Capone, “Bird Man, and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. The island served its’ purpose by separating the most dangerous from society and making it nearly impossible to escape “The Rock.” This type of punishment has been unsuccessfully implemented thorough out our history. In Africa, the Rwanda president, Paul Kagame, has devised a project where all those who commit crimes are sent to a remote island named Iwawa. The state of Rwanda, which had an ethnic civil war 16 years ago and now is one of the countries cleanest, safest, and least corrupt state of all Africa (Gettleman, 2010). The communities have national health insurance, and monthly neighborhood clean ups (Gettleman, 2010). Rwanda is one the poorest countries, but have accomplished controlling crime due to the Rwanda Island Prison project. Although the outcomes of the project are effective, the procedures of the project violate civil rights and law rights.

            The island houses around 900 inmates, those accused of petty crimes like stealing, loitering, and those suspected of being homeless (Gettleman, 2010). While in prison, the inmates will spend three years learning trade skills which should help with their rehabilitation.The country is fond of their new found project, but the accused are saying that its repression who is running the state. Those accused are not offered a formal trial and are also denied the chance to appear in court (Gettleman, 2010). Younger teenagers under the age of eighteen are also sent to the prison, and officials deny their presence in the island (Gettleman, 2010). Rwanda citizens say that its ,”nothing more than a camp to keep the appearance of the state uncontaminated” (Gettleman, 2010). Although the island is a prison camp, there is no sign of criminals who commit heinous crimes like murder and rape.

            Similar to the United States, Rwanda incarcerates around 604 per 100,000 of the population while the U.S. incarcerates 756 per 100,000. (Reutter, 2010). Offenders who commit another number of crimes are not sent to the island of Iwawa, but are sent to prisons like Gitarama, who has been labeled as one of the most horrible prisons on earth (Balzar, 1995). The Rwanda prison does seem horrible, but there is no indication of harmful acts towards the inmates. Other statistical information that has not been mentioned is whether or not the inmates released are rehabilitated. Considering that Rwanda is now one of the cleanest and safest place to live, it may seem that the program does reintegrate inmates back into the community. 

            The Rwandan people mention that the island program resembles Alcatraz, but the government gives it the name ‘Hawaii’.  Lawfully the Rwanda government should be held accountable for violating civil rights. If its true that the inmates are not offered a trial, the government should offer trials and release those with insufficient evidence for their confinement. The American Bar Association runs a program named the Rule of Law Initiative, who work with governments around the world to implement reform programs with volunteer lawyers (Filisko, 2010). ROLI has worked with the Republic of Congo, border country to Rwanda, and successfully addressed many criminal court issues (Filisko, 2010). Programs like the ROLI could devise a way conduct small trials for the Island inmates at the expense of the Rwandan president.

References

Balzar, John. (1995, April 16). This Years Horror In Prisons: Africa. Los Angeles Times

Filisko, G M. (2010). In The Hot Zone. ABA Journal. Chicago. 96(10). 64.

Gettleman, Jeffrey. (2010, April 30). Rwanda Pursues Dissenter and the Homeless. New             York Times. pp A1 new york edition.

Reutter, David M. (2010). Over 10 Million In Prison Worldwide. Prison Legal News. 2(4).             59.

Prison Problems

            Prior to 1970, a great emphasis was placed on rehabilitation for inmates. False research was produced that indicated that rehab was not working and therefore; educational and vocational training was reduced. The rehabilitation model was erased and replaced with punishment and incapacitation (Warren, 2008). Thus, the goals of the state moved to incapacitation, just deserts, deterrence, and retribution (Warren, 2008). New policies were implemented that focused more on crime control than rehabilitation and thus offenders were removed from their community for longer periods of time (Warren, 208). Thirty years later, the United States is starting to see the effects of incarcerating offenders for life. Ethnic disparities, racial laws, overcrowding, massive cost, high recidivism, and larger budgets are all consequences of sending offenders to prison for life.

            Overcrowding is one issue that affects the budget, the safety of staff, and the safety of inmates. With U.S. policies geared towards incapacitation, prison systems are overflowing with inmates and health conditions inside prisons have declined. Prisons in America are currently under receivership by the courts, meaning that the courts took over the prisons healthcare system and are trying to bring the standards of healthcare back to constitutional levels. The problem with being under receivership would be that it cost taxpayers millions more fix the problem. Healthcare costs are growing by 10 percent each year and will continue to climb as the prison population gets older. Another issue is that the United States incarcerates more people than China and Europe. 750 out of 100,000 American adults are in prison while in Germany 93 out of 100,000 people are incarcerated, the U.S. imprisons eight times more people than Germany (Liptak, 2008). As a result of high cost, building and operating prisons has increased the prisons budget faster than any other state budget (Warren,2008).

            According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, in 2007 the United States spent $44 billion in taxes on corrections (Liptak,2008). In 1987 the budget was $10.6 billion, the budget increased 127 percent (Liptak,2008). Including the federal government, money from bonds, and state spending the total is around 49 billion (Liptak,2008). Every year it cost around $40,000 to house an adult in prison and the amount doubles when juveniles are incarcerated. The Tough on Crime method has cost Americans billions of dollars and that amount will continue to increase if incarceration rates continue to climb. Correctional officers and staff are around 75 percent of the states budget for corrections, but in 2006, California spent 500 million of overtime pay alone (Liptak,2008).

            The cost of prisons not only affects Americans as taxpayers, but it also affects the inmates as customers of the state. With less money for rehabilitation and education, inmates have a greater chance of coming back to prison after release. The Correctional Education Association found strong evidence to indicate that education reduces recidivism and increases the chances for an inmate to find employment after release (Linton et al, 2010). 40 percent of the prison population have not completed high school which indicates that prisoners are less educated than the general public and inmates would benefit from rehabilitation, educational, and vocational training (Linton et al, 2010).

Since 2007, the U.S. has spent an additional 25 billion on top of the 49 billion in just four years. Considering the cut backs that states are making to their budgets, we may see a decrease in the states budget for corrections. Less money for corrections equals higher numbers of inmates released. If half of the inmate population has less than a high school diploma and the recidivism rate is around 75 percent, California will still have to spend millions for those inmates who return to prison. Cost effectiveness of prisons will become a priority as well as safety, which will also increase the cost of prisons.

References

Linton, John., Lockwood, Susan., Nally, John., & Steuver, Stephen J. (2010). The Top

Nine Reasons to Increase Correctional Education Programs. Corrections Today. 8, 40-43.

Liptak, Adam. (2008, 2, 29). U.S. Imprisons One in 100 Adults, Reports Finds. New

York Times.

Warren, Roger K. (2008). The Most Promising Way Forward: Incorporating Evidence-

Based Practice into State Sentencing and Corrections Policies. Federal Sentencing Reporter. 20(5). 322-325.