Halden prison, located in Norway, is often seen as an illustration of an exemplary penitentiary that meets the major goal of the entire correctional system. The country has one of the lowest recidivism rates globally, and such correctional facilities as Halden prison are believed to be central factors to achieving such success (Labutta, 2017). The prison is characterized by a focus on rehabilitation rather than retribution.
The facility’s architecture and layout resemble a healthcare center with a wide range of different activities for inmates, including playing sports games and yoga (Kirby, 2019). Some American prisons try to adopt a similar approach and establish a therapeutic rather than punitive environment (Janzer, 2019). It is necessary to note that such incentives have led to certain improvements and resulted in a decrease in the recidivism rate in certain locations.
However, the long-term effects of such programs, as well as their cost-effectiveness, are unclear and require thorough examination. At that, it is clear that such prisons need considerably larger funding compared to other American correctional facilities (Kirby, 2019). The financial aspect of the issue is one of the most sensitive topics related to the discussion of the correctional system due to the overall financial situation in the country.
One of the effective strategies to address recidivism that are not associated with substantial investment is the use of diverse cognitive-behavioral programs. Van Der Linden (2015) explores the impact of green prison projects on recidivism and claims that these strategies are associated with a reduction of recidivism rates. Prisoners are involved in various gardening activities and vocational initiatives. Therefore, such programs address several aspects of the problem. On the one hand, these incentives equip inmates with the interpersonal skills necessary for effective reintegration into society. On the other hand, prisoners receive specific skills and experience that enable them to obtain employment, which tends to be critical in many cases.
It has been acknowledged that these two aspects (interpersonal interaction and employment) are central to the development of projects aimed at reducing recidivism. Hall, Harger, and Stansel (2015) claim that economic and labor market freedom negatively correlates with recidivism. In states with increasing economic and especially labor market freedom, the rate of recidivism is decreasing. Former inmates use any opportunity to get a proper job and be able to provide for themselves or their families. When they fail to achieve this goal, they often re-offend, which leads to overpopulation in American prisons. New vocational skills received during inmates’ stay in a correctional facility are instrumental in becoming more efficient economically, which reduces the rate of these people’s recidivism.
Another important factor associated with recidivism is the offenders’ personal characteristics. People’s age, gender, race (white), and ethnicity have proved to be predictors of violent recidivism (Piquero, Jennings, Diamond, & Reingle, 2015). Clearly, these features define the way prisoners interact with others when in prison or after their release. The lack of communication skills and improper behavior results in offense or re-offense. Therefore, cognitive behavioral therapy groups have gained momentum in the U.S. correctional system. Inmates are trained to interact with others in diverse settings, as well as choose the most appropriate behavioral model. Mpofu, Athanasou, Rafe, and Belshaw (2018) state that cognitive-behavioral therapy implemented in different forms has a positive effect on the prevention of reoffence.
Therefore, although the establishment of prisons similar to the Halden facility still needs detailed analysis and preparation, it is possible to shift the focus from retribution to rehabilitation. The development and implementation of cognitive-behavioral therapy combined with vocational projects should become common in American prisons. These incentives need to be evidence-based and appropriate for different groups of inmates, depending on their age, gender, race, and ethnicity (Piquero et al., 2015). Vocational programs must become an indispensable part of correctional activities since they will potentially enable former inmates to reintegrate into society more effectively and rapidly.
Another critical factor to consider when creating rehabilitation projects is the involvement of the community. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often associated with linking people to their communities, which is beneficial for former prisoners (Mpofu et al., 2018). Inmates, their families, their neighbors, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders can be invited to contribute to the development of such programs.
It is possible to use some elements of the initiatives employed in other countries, such as Norway. Clearly, these projects should be adapted to the American setting. The collaboration of non-governmental organizations and policymakers is critical as well. Finally, the establishment of the therapeutic environment in U.S. prisons is unlikely to happen with the involvement of the public. Americans should be properly informed about the current trends in the correctional systems of the country, as well as possible improvements and expected implications. Communities must be prepared to participate in programs actively, and people should be ready to change their attitudes as the focus on retribution is still present in American society.
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