As I stepped off the bus, I was in awe. The facility in front of me looked nothing like a typical prison—it resembled a summer camp, with separate cabins and communal spaces. Yet, this was a low-security prison, which is the second to last step in Norway’s reintegration process for incarcerated individuals returning to society. It was striking to see such an open, almost inviting environment used as a correctional facility for those who had committed crimes. The Norwegian prison policy is rooted in a humanistic, rehabilitative approach. Their research supports the benefits of ensuring that life inside the prison should resemble life outside, while still being secure.

Walking toward the entrance, I noticed a quote displayed prominently on the door: “A rich man is nothing more than a poor man with money.” The words puzzled me because through my research on prisoners, I’ve come to understand that a vast array of social, economic, and personal factors contribute to why people commit crimes. This quote, in many ways, underscored the Norwegian prison system’s commitment to normality—a belief that incarcerated individuals are not inherently different from anyone else, and that rehabilitation should focus on preparing them to reintegrate into society rather than punishing them indefinitely. 

We had the opportunity to speak with two prisoners about their experiences in the low-security facility. One prisoner was continuing his studies in communication at the University of Oslo, as prisoners in Norway are encouraged to work or pursue education, either inside or outside the prison. What struck me most was the level of trust embedded in the system. Prisoners are given the keys to their own cells and can use kitchen knives to prepare their meals—without constant supervision from correctional officers. In contrast, in high-security prisons, knives are chained to prevent misuse.

The second prisoner we spoke with worked as a cook for the facility and invited us to see his living space. Each prisoner has their own private room with a bathroom—a stark contrast to the communal cells and restricted environments of most U.S. prisons. What stood out to me the most was his artwork. His room was filled with vibrant colors, detailed depictions of trees, and striking imagery. In U.S. prisons, self-expression is often limited, making this level of creative freedom particularly notable. His artwork reminded me of a quote by 

Dr. Gladys Martoo: "For people drowning within a system of noise—lacking in communication skills—art may be the last communication device. It becomes a piece of the potential for peaceful, holistic rehabilitation."

His artwork reinforced the idea that rehabilitation in Norway is not just about serving time—it is about reintegration, trust, and self-expression, all of which play a significant role in preparing prisoners for life after incarceration.

One of the most striking aspects of the prison was its openness. There were no locked doors controlled by officers; instead, prisoners had the keys to their own rooms. Additionally, we were not told what crimes the prisoners had committed—only what they chose to share with us. This highlighted a fundamental difference in Norway’s approach to incarceration: prisoners are not labeled by their crimes but are instead treated as human beings first.

This experience made me question the American ideology of “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” If freedom is such a core value, do we not all have the right to be recognized as human beings, regardless of past mistakes? How can we, as researchers, contribute to a model that fosters humanity and dignity within the prison system? And ultimately, do we not all deserve to live without chains—both literal and systemic?

In Norway, prisoners are given autonomy in a general sense, not just in the context of potentially becoming a human subject in research.While there might be fewer research studies that rely upon prisoners as human subjects, it also appears that the government makes research-based, data-driven decisions with respect to its strategies to ensure low recidivism and preserve autonomy generally.