The Finnish (or Nordic) system operates on the principle on rehabilitating inmates by reintegrating them into society, they do not confine them to a “typical” prison cell like those common in America (instead it’s akin to a college dorm with amenities). There are videos talking about the Nordic prison system you can look up to get the picture.

It’s the same with Norway: as they know that “keeping inmates in a cage beating and abusing them” doesn’t help, instead rehabilities them. (Look up Halden Prison) I mean, why is it that Finland manages to maintain a low recidivism rate while it barely scratches that in the United States?

  • bitofarambler@crazypeople.onlineEnglish
    61·
    8 hours ago

    Many people turn back to crime because they still don’t feel like they have a choice.

    Countries with lower recidivism focus on providing the social support people often need to rejoin and contribute to society.

    The focus of most US incarceration systems is profit; to exploit criminals for their near-free labor while receiving taxpayer money to house those criminals.

    Additionally, most states in the U.S. charge prison inmates for their incarceration. This policy is almost never referenced in TV or movies, but 42 states and DC have “pay for stay” incarceration legal frameworks, so a prisoner can be charged for meals and rent and medical care every day they are incarcerated, then get out of jail or prison in the US and be in more debt than when they went in.

    It’s also difficult to get a job as a convict in the US and get access to social support, so without any legal way to support themselves and no viable social framework by which to rejoin society, many US criminals feel forced to fall back into criminal activity just to pay for rent, food, and their children.