A Comparison of Open and Closed Prison Systems: Can These Systems be Implemented in Australia?

Abstract

This article examines the Norwegian prison system, which focuses on the rehabilitation of inmates and their reintegration into society, and whether this system can be implemented in Australia. It focuses on the individual experiences of inmates within open and closed Norwegian prison systems and highlights the differences and challenges they face. Open prisons aim to mimic community living by affording inmates greater freedoms. However, open prisons also introduce complexities such as confusion, anxiety, ambiguity, relative deprivation, and individual responsibility. Closed prisons, like the renowned Halden Prison, present different challenges which are similar to those in classic styles of prisons. Inmates within these two systems express mixed views about the rehabilitative effects they perceive the prison to have. The article also explores the social perceptions of punishment and how they influence the implementation of similar prison models in other countries. This analysis aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the effectiveness of various prison systems in reducing recidivism and promoting inmate rehabilitation across different societies.