- Most of Bastoy Island is occupied by a prison.
- Bastoy prison is considered the most pleasant prison in the world. Inmates there do not live in cells and lead relatively normal lives.
- Discover what one of the world’s most luxurious penitentiary centres is like inside, and why its approach might be the most appropriate.
- Discover more stories on Business Insider Spain.
Most of the residents of the island of Bastoy, Norway, They are engaged in agriculture. In their free time, some do sports, from playing football or tennis to horse riding or fishing. Others meet to go see a movie or enjoy a concert or go to talks and courses. Their activities are nothing out of the ordinary, the curious thing is that All the inhabitants of the island are prisoners.
Bastoy prison It was rated by the World Economic Forum as the most pleasant prison in the worldThere are no bars here; prisoners live in shared housing, with private rooms. Thus, they wear their own clothes and, except for one meal a day, they cook for themselves.
But it is not the only one prison where prisoners live without bars, have their own room or cook their own foodIn some prisons, guards even go without weapons to create a harmonious environment where community takes precedence over violence.
Some claim that these prisons are too much comfortable. However, those who advocate this type of prison system claim that prisoners are less likely to reoffend.
In Norway, one of the countries with the lowest recidivism rate in the world, 20% of prisoners return to prison within the first two years of release.. Instead, In the United States, where prisons are much more restrictive, 50% of prisoners reoffend. in the first three years of freedom.
The key is supposedly that the more gradual the transformation, the better. In Norway, prisoners can start working 18 months before completing their sentence, and the adaptation process helps to make reintegration into society easier by preventing them from quickly falling back into crime.
But what exactly does this transition look like? What is the daily life of prisoners like inside one of the most luxurious prisons in the world?
Bastoy Prison is located on the island of Bastoy, Norway and can hold up to 115 prisoners.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26246483
Prisoners do not live in cells, but in huts shared with other inmates. They have their own room and share common areas.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/natur-Eng.html
When entering prison, prisoners are allowed to bring some personal belongings, from clothing to electronic devices, such as a music player and even a television. However, they are not allowed to have a mobile phone or camera.
Most of the island is reserved for the prison, but Nordbukta Beach in the north is open to the public. A ferry, operated by the prisoners, makes several trips to and from the island daily.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/Bilder_Dokumenter/Baattider-12-2018.pdf
Prison is not exclusively for those inmates who have committed minor crimes. Some of the inmates are convicted of serious crimes, including murder and rape.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/natur-Eng.html
Initially, a prisoner with a serious crime would not be sent to Bastoy. However, they can request a transfer and if after a period of time serving a sentence in another prison they have a positive record and have shown that they really want to reform, their possible admission will be evaluated.
There are around 80 buildings on the island, including a church, a supermarket and a library.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/partnere-kirke-Eng.html
The prisoners themselves work in the shop, which is open three days a week for three hours a day.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/arbeidsdrift-butikk-Eng.html
In the library, prisoners can find books, magazines, films and even music. There is also a computer and a printer.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/partnere-bibliotek-Eng.html
It has become a pleasant place to relax or meet up to play billiards.
There is also a school where prisoners can complete or further their studies.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/partnere-skole-Eng.html
But Bastoy is not all about studying, the prisoners also work. Most of them are dedicated to agriculture and caring for the island.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/arbeidsdrift-landbruk-Eng.html
All farming at Bastoy prison is organic. Those who do not work the land can take up the care of animals, including cows, sheep and horses. Others are engaged in wood production, work in the greenhouse or look after the island’s green areas or sports facilities.
Other inmates work in the prison kitchen. However, except for one meal a day, prisoners are allowed to cook their own food.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/arbeidsdrift-kjokken-Eng.html
Despite being an island, there is plenty to do on Bastoy. Prisoners can spend their free time enjoying nature.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/natur-Eng.html
…Or bathing on the beach.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/natur-Eng.html
Although it is quite cold on the island in winter.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/natur-Eng.html
They also have sports facilities, from a gym and a football pitch…
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/fritid-Eng.html
…even a climbing wall!
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/fritid-Eng.html
Prisoners have a fair amount of freedom, but they must be home by 11:00 p.m. every day, and cannot leave until 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. on weekends.
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/partnere-bibliotek-Eng.html
And what you were all wondering…don’t prisoners escape?
http://www.bastoyfengsel.no/English/natur-Eng.html
In 2015, one of the prisoners tried to escape on a paddle board, but this is very rare. However, if a prisoner tries to escape, he will be expelled from Bastoy prison and transferred to another prison.
Bastoy Prison describes itself as an ecological prison, where they value the importance of human relationships. Its governor, Tom Eberhardt, has even given a TED talk to talk about his unusual prison system focused on preparing prisoners for their return to the outside world.
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