Inside The Most Luxurious Prison in The World

Halden Prison – Home away from home

The jail took 10 years to build and has been touted to be the most humane in the world for its 252 inmates.

Home away from home: One of the private cells at Norway's new Halden Prison – which appears to be nicer than most university dormitory rooms. Prison authorities claim the luxury environment of the 75-acre site helps reduce the country's already very low crime rate.

Each inmate gets a private cell with mini-fridge, flat-screen TV and even a private en-suite bathroom and barless windows – because they let in more sunlight.

Then for every 12 to 15 rooms there is a top-notch kitchen with stainless steel work tops and lounge areas complete with IKEA-style sofas and coffee tables.

To cap-off their stay at Halden, the pampered prisoners can even enjoy a gym – complete with rock-climbing wall – a music studio and luxury library.
Keeping prisoners healthy: The rock-climbing wall and basketball nets in the new gym at the prison.

£1million Mural

Banksy-style: A £1million mural in the prison courtyard by Norwegian street artist Dolk

Architect Hans Henrik Hoilund admitted Halden holds some of Norway's most dangerous prisoners but – believes its design means they don't re-offend.

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He said: 'The most important thing is that the prison looks as much like the outside world as possible.

'To avoid an institutional feel, exteriors are not concrete but made of bricks, galvanized steel and larch; the buildings seem to have grown organically from the woodlands.

'And while there is one obvious symbol of incarceration – a 20-foot concrete securitywall along the prison's perimeter – trees obscure it.

'And it's top has been rounded off, so it isn't too hostile.'
A jail cell corridor in the new prison – where half the guards are female as it is believed this decreases aggression.

The Norwegian Banksy-style artist Dolk was also hired to paint a £1million mural on the prison wall showing a prisoner in striped uniform using a ball and chain as a shot put.

Halden opened it's doors officially last month, taking in the first batch of inmates. Prison governor Are Hoidal said there have been no escape attempts.

He said: 'In the Norwegian prison system, there's a focus on human rights and respect.

'We don't see any of this as unusual.

'When they arrive many of them are in bad shape and we want to build them up, give them confidence through education and work and have them leave as better people.'

Halden also features jogging trails in nearby woods and a freestanding two-bedroom house where inmates can host their families during overnight visits.

In Norway only 20 per cent of prisoners end up back in jail after release, compared to between 50 and 60 per cent in the UK.

Source: Dailymail