By C1 Staff
NORWAY – The “world’s nicest” prison is having a poor effect on foreign offenders.
The Local reports that Norway credits its low reoffending rate (30 percent) to its humane correctional system. This, of course, applies only to local offenders, as the rate for foreign citizens in Norway’s jails has risen from 8.6 percent in 2000 to 34.2 percent at the end of the last month.
These foreign prisoners (even those living in Norway illegally) are allowed the same rights as other inmates: TVs, computers, access to culture and healthcare, among others.
“I don’t think a prison sentence is particularly off-putting to some people in these groups – they take their chances and do so deliberately to give themselves a better life,” said lawyer Josetin Alvheim.
A number of defense lawyers have described clients “almost smiling” at Norwegian sentences, with some saying they took a calculated risk over being jailed in Norway.
“A big problem is that people who are deported for crimes come back and commit more crimes,” said police lawyer Arne Fjellstad. “Things are developing in the wrong way – we’re getting increasing numbers of illegal immigrants in Norway who are committing crimes.”