HARRISBURG, PA — The winds of change are slowly sweeping through the correctional facilities of Pennsylvania, thanks to an initiative known as ‘Little Scandinavia’, a project modeled after prisons in Scandinavia. Introduced as a pilot at State Correctional Institute Chester, Little Scandinavia aims to refocus the correctional system from mere incarceration to care and rehabilitation.
State Representative Ben Waxman, D-Phila., joined by numerous prison reform advocates, recently embarked on a mission to increase understanding of Little Scandinavia’s core values. These include safety, transparency, and innovation with a unique emphasis on normality and reintegration of prisoners into society.
Little Scandinavia provides a serene environment for residents, complete with single-person cells, shared kitchen facilities, and outdoor green spaces. It’s a deviation from the traditional correctional system and a significant stride towards humanizing prisons. Waxman stressed the need to permanently finance this project, envisioning it as a blueprint for other state correctional facilities across Pennsylvania.
“We need to rethink corrections in Pennsylvania. Little Scandinavia is not just a program; it’s a new era in rehabilitation and human rights. This model focuses on transformative care, not just incarceration,” stated Waxman.
Bryan Widenhouse, senior policy associate for Families Against Mandatory Minimums, believes that Little Scandinavia can reduce Pennsylvania’s recidivism rate. He asserts that a shift from a punitive to a supportive system could change the trajectory of many prisoners, reducing the likelihood of reoffending upon release.
Former prisoner Kevin Amir Bowman, from the organization “Just Better Men”, talks candidly about his experience in the Scandinavian unit. He attests that while traditional prisons offer minimal programs aimed more at optics, Little Scandinavia equips residents with tools needed for personal growth and reintegration into society.
This initiative is a product of a multi-year partnership with the Norwegian Correctional Service, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, and the Danish Prison and Probation Service. A team from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections even journeyed to these European countries to learn and adopt their incarceration approach.
Every step forward counts, as Leigh Owens, education and advocacy director at PA Prison Society, affirms. He believes Little Scandinavia embodies their mission and aspires to see it receive not only further investment but expand across the state as a model of a more rehabilitative prison system.
Celeste Trusty, FAMM Deputy Director of State Policy also supports the initiative even though she wasn’t present at the conference. She articulated how this shift towards a balanced justice system provides a more holistic approach to corrections and could lead to better outcomes.
Leveraging the concepts of respect, dignity, and support, Little Scandinavia is poised to redefine correctional facilities in Pennsylvania and beyond. The hope lies in its potential to bring about a correctional system that respects humanity, fosters rehabilitation, and promotes a smooth transition back into society.
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