You've heard a lot about Norway's "luxurious" prisons. Here's how the rooms really look

You might be interested in our deep-dive article on the Norwegian prison system before or after seeing these prison rooms. Check it out here.

Prisons in Norway have been the subject of controversy, praise, and criticism alike.

The Norwegian prison system is famous for its focus on rehabilitation. Opponents call it overly comfortable and unfairly forgiving to criminals. Advocates call on its humaneness and the supposed positive effect it has on fighting crime.

No matter how you feel about them, Norway’s prison rooms do look atypical – at least when compared to quintessential as-seen-on-TV prison cells. Surrounded by metal bars; movies and TV series show them as places more cage than room, where silence and solitude (and often terror) reign. In many, if not most, of the world’s prison systems, such an image is a harsh reality.

Norway’s approach is different, however.

Scroll on to see some of Norway’s prisons – and decide for yourself if they’re humane, ridiculous, rehabilitative, luxurious, or something else.

The rooms

Prisoner in prison room romerike — An inmate in his room in Romerike prison. Photo: NTB

Minister Monica Mæland opening Mandal Prison. This is the Minister touring one of the rooms. Photo: NTB

A room at Indre Østfold Prison ward Eidsberg — The view from a room at Indre Østfold Prison ward Eidsberg. Each cell has a private bathroom, small fridge, and flat-screen TV. Photo: Tore Meek / NTB

Prisoner watching TV in Romerike Prison — An inmate watching TV in Romerike Prison. Photo: NTB

An inmate in his room in Romerike prison. Photo: NTB

A cell in the new building, where there a 90+ inmate capacity, at Ullersmo Prison. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB

A cell in Ullersmo Prison. Each cell has a private bathroom, small fridge, and flat-screen TV. Photo: Tore Meek / NTB

A room in Mandal Prison on security camera — A room in Mandal Prison, as seen on a security camera. Photo: NTB

A room in Mandal Prison, as seen on a security camera. Photo: NTB

The facilities

Prisoner in library of Romerike Prison — An inmate and prison officer in the library of Romerike Prison. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB

Kitchen in Romerike Prison — An inmate in the kitchen in Romerike Prison. Photo: NTB

School education for inmates in Romerike Prison. Photo: NTB

An inmate in the kitchen of Romerike Prison. Photo: NTB

Training grounds of Romerike Prison. Photo: NTB

Romerike Prison visiting rooms — Visiting rooms for inmates with children at Romerike Prison. Photo: NTB

Source: #Norway Today

5 Comments on "You’ve heard a lot about Norway’s “luxurious” prisons. Here’s how the rooms really look"

Berhane Haile | 16. January 2021 at 18:24 | Reply

Is there a possibility that one can be imprisoned by request even if he is not a criminal? I would like to be in prison so that I can see Norwegian prison.
Furu | 17. January 2021 at 08:40 | Reply

Looks humane and decent, how it should be. Well done, Norway!
Bereket Mogos | 17. January 2021 at 11:49 | Reply

prison means the rehabilitation of criminals nothumiliate the guilty.good job Norway!
Oscar | 18. January 2021 at 11:44 | Reply

I love Norway, that is a peace of a paradise! Keep it up!
Oscar | 18. January 2021 at 11:46 | Reply

Berhane Haile, I think you can just ask for a permission to visit the inmates.

The rooms

The facilities

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5 Comments on "You’ve heard a lot about Norway’s “luxurious” prisons. Here’s how the rooms really look"

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