Inmates’ perceptions and experiences of how they were prepared for release from a Norwegian open prison

Abstract

Re-entry to society is challenging and inmates often feel unprepared for release. Insufficient human and social capital makes it difficult to cope with the challenges of everyday life outside prison. In Norway the aim of prisoner rehabilitation is to counteract new criminal acts, and make it possible for the convicted person to change his or her criminal patterns. This qualitative study aimed to explore and describe inmates' perceptions and experiences of how they were prepared for release from a Norwegian open prison. Three focus group interviews with inmates were conducted. A thematic content analysis of the data resulted in three categories: 1) life outside, 2) working as a community and 3) useful learning for the future. Our findings indicate that inmates were prepared in several ways to return to the society. One aspect was the social climate where inmates were treated with humanity by staff. Inmates received training in local democracy, and developed hope for the future, self-reliance and personal agency, which strengthened their process of preparing for release. Inhibiting factors seemed to be an emotional vulnerability, inadequate preparation for modern working life and poorly planned release preparation. This study indicates the importance of maintaining open prisons with humanistic values.

Risk management in open prisons: A critical analysis and research agenda

“…Whilst open prisons are not assured of these features, their characteristics and purpose give them an advantage (cf. Andvig et al, 2021). Again Leitch (1951: 31) helpfully surmises:…”

“…Whilst open prisons are not assured of these features, their characteristics and purpose give them an advantage (cf. Andvig et al, 2021). Again Leitch (1951: 31) helpfully surmises:the increase in freedom and amenities act as a stimulus to good conduct as they [the prisoners] feel that they have so much to lose by misbehaviour.…”

Preventing future crime in adolescent drug offenders: A study of differential sanction effects on recidivism

“…However, while the concept may be seen as essentially negative, it also signifies positive processes underlying change . Moreover, as a term that has only recently attracted attention in the field of Norwegian penality (Andvig, Koffeld-Hamidane, Ausland, & Karlsson, 2020;Linge, 2021;Todd-Kvam, 2020;Ugelvik, 2021), the desistance framework may provide new insights into sanction effects in this legal context. In response to this, and perhaps more importantly, reflecting the constant talk about change (or the lack thereof) by the participants in the qualitative part of the study, I decided to apply the desistance framework to a group of potentially 'unfit' youth.…”

How can staff facilitate and frustrate journeys away from criminal lifestyles?

“…They consider them a more demanding group than before (Justis-og Beredskapsdepartementet, 2021). Besides this, six low security prisons, known to facilitate meaningful interpersonal contact between staff and imprisoned persons (Andvig et al, 2021;Villman, 2021) were closed in 2019. Additionally, state grants to the Correctional Service have been How can staff facilitate and frustrate journeys away from criminal lifestyles?…”