The Halden Model: rehabilitation-first design
2010–ongoing
Halden prison, opened in 2010, embodies Norway's 'normality principle': the punishment IS the loss of liberty, so day-to-day life inside should resemble life outside. Cells have private bathrooms, common rooms have IKEA furniture, and officers eat with inmates. The model has been studied and partially replicated in the US, the Netherlands, and parts of Latin America.
Outcomes
Norway maintains one of the lowest reoffending rates in the world (~20% within two years vs ~45% in England & Wales and ~65% in the US). Critics point out the model is expensive and works partly because Norway already has a small, well-funded carceral system.
Sources
Last verified 21 May 2026. This is editorial; we hand-curate this section. Spotted an error? Submit a correction.