The British House of Lords is interested in learning from the Norwegian prison service. This week, the justice committee met with UiA researcher Kristian Mjåland, who shared his insights about Norway's prison system.
"They were very interested in learning from Norway, while also acknowledging that these are two very different countries," says Mjåland.
Mjåland was invited to the meeting through his colleagues at the University of Cambridge, with whom he has collaborated on several occasions.
In the UK, the justice committee is currently conducting a comprehensive inquiry into prison conditions, governance and culture.
You can watch a recording of the meeting here.
Significant differences between the countries
During the meeting, Mjåland specifically highlighted two differences between the Norwegian and English prison systems: the use of open prisons and the training of prison officers.
"Norway has far fewer inmates per 100,000 inhabitants than England and Wales. We make extensive use of open prisons, while in English prisons, few inmates have the opportunity to serve their sentences in such facilities. This difference is particularly pronounced for those with short sentences," says Mjåland.
Open prisons provide better opportunities for preparing for life after release.
"It is easier to maintain contact with family and friends, attend job interviews and find a place to live. Open prisons cause less human suffering, are cheaper to operate and are not politically controversial in Norway."
Thorough training leads to better prisons
The other major difference Mjåland highlighted was the Norwegian model for prison officer training.
"In Norway, we have a two-year training programme that includes both theory and practice. Upon completion, officers receive a decent salary and have strong trade unions. This is considered a respectable profession in Norway," says Mjåland.
In comparison, British prison officers undergo only 8-12 weeks of training. According to Mjåland, Norway’s comprehensive education leads to more competent staff and improved relationships between officers and inmates.
The inquiry comes at a time when the British prison system is facing major challenges, including overcrowding, high levels of violence and drug problems. Prisons for inmates serving shorter sentences are in particularly poor condition and there is a high turnover rate among staff.