The world’s nicest prison; an island where prisoners do not live behind bars
Bastoy prison was evaluated by the World Economic Forum as the most pleasant prison in the world. Prisoners live in shared apartments with private rooms. They wear their own clothes and one meal a day is prepared for them.
However, this is not the only prison where prisoners live without bars, have their own room or cook their own food.
In some prisons, guards even go unarmed to create a harmonious environment where community takes precedence over violence. Some argue that these prisons are too comfortable.
However, those who use this type of prison system claim that prisoners resume less. In Norway, one of the countries with one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world, 20% of prisoners return to prison within the first two years.
The key is supposedly that reconversion is gradual, the better. Bastoy Prison is located on the island of Bastoy (Norway) and can hold up to 115 prisoners.
The prisoners do not live in cells, but in cabins shared with other inmates.
They have their own room and share common areas.
Most of the island is reserved for the prison, but Nordbukta beach in the north is accessible to the public. A ferry, operated by the inmates, makes several trips each day to and from the island.
Some of the inmates are convicted of serious crimes, such as murder and rape. There are about 80 buildings on the island. Among them are a church, a supermarket and a library. The prisoners themselves work in the store, which is open three days a week.
In the library, prisoners can find books, magazines, movies and even music. There is also a school where prisoners can complete their studies or stay away.
But in Bastoy it’s not all about studying, the prisoners work. Most take care of agriculture and look after the island. Others work in the prison kitchen.
Except for one meal a day, the occupants can cook their own food. Although it is an island, there is plenty to do on Bastoy.
Prisoners can spend their free time enjoying nature. Prisoners have a lot of freedom, but they have to be home every day by 23:00, and they are not allowed to leave during the week until 20:00 and until 08:00 on weekends.
