Within Norwegian prison, criminals convert them into good neighbors there practice yoga, learn English skills, and language

Prisoners who have previously spent most of their time locked up in cells today have the opportunity to train and educate, whereas the role of guards has changed dramatically.

Until the old crime rate had increased from 60 to 70 percent after the sentence was pronounced, two years after reform was implemented only 20 percent, and after five years to 25 percent. Today, prisoners practice yoga, which calms them down.

We don't want anger and violence in this country. We want quiet and polite prisoners”, says prison director Halden, Are Hoidal.

This is not at all cheap, since the cost of accommodation for a prisoner amounts to up to 100 thousand euros a year, until, for example, in England and Wales, the value is between 44 and 55 thousand euros.

The “Dinamic security system” means that guards and prisoners work together, eat together, play volleyball, relax, which allows the guards to talk to them and motivate them.

We're prison employees, not guards. We make sure that convicts suffer punishment, but we also help them to be better people. For them we're models, trainers and mentors”, Hoidal added.

The prison headquarters are organized in such a way as to minimize the feeling of being imprisoned or standing behind bars in order to reduce their stress level, while their architecture adapts well to the environment.

Meanwhile, the prison, whose construction has cost more than 150m euros, consists of two double - story buildings and wood houses that are more similar to modern campuses of universities and not in prisons like other parts of the world.

Woods are continuously planted around this prison and surrounded by a thick concrete wall, but no thorn wire or electric fences are found in any section. Every prisoner has his own cell in which the toilet is located, the shower-bine, the refrigerator, the table with flat TV and a view of the mountain as well as a small kitchen.

It's not easy when they get their freedom. In Norway, punishment means freedom deprivation. Other rights remain in effect as elsewhere. Prisoners have the right to vote, educate and recover if they need a word they have all rights like any other Norwegian citizen. They're wrong and must be punished, but they continue to be human beings”, Hoidal added.

From the first day of their imprisonment, preparations begin for their release, and all will one day be free, since there is no life sentence in Norway.

If we were to treat them like animals, it would mean that on the street we would let the animals go. We're actually releasing your neighbor”, added Hoidal.

In the prison garage, prisoners between 8:15 and 20:30 (but for an hour off in a cell) learn automechanics. The main point is to offer you the feeling of being equal to everyone and to prepare for new life after being released from prison.

The moment they are released, most of them will be qualified for mechanics, carpenters, or cooks. Training a prisoner in Norway lasts from two to three years.

“We wanted to prevent the repeat crime, which means that our people should be well trained”, says Hans-Jurgen Brooker from serving the punishment department near a Norwegian college.

My “Students will learn well, ethics, criminalism, English, re-integration and social work. Then they will spend a year practicing in one of the prisons, where they will then be returned for the final” exam, he added.

Prisoner's director Are Hoild says he can't remember the last time he had problems in the prison he manages. He hopes a lot in new projects to be realised in prison. Recently, the choir was established and enabled prisoners to have access to musical studios, and in the future, it is scheduled to hold a holiday concert. /Telegraphy/