Prisons Around the World
Useful Definitions
Recommended Prerequisites
Prisons
In the United Kingdom
Prisons in the UK have a main aim of deterrence. There are many issues the system has been criticised for:
- Conditions in most prisons are poor, affecting mental health poorly.
- 86 inmate suicides a year
- March 2025 had record self harm rates: 899 incidents per 1000 prisoners per year
- Because there is little reformation, many are locked in a loop of reoffending.
- 32% of prisoners are reoffenders
- The punishment can be seen as too harsh for many people — 61% of sentences are for non-violent or petty crimes
- Costs ~£36,237 per prisoner per year (only a bit less than the UK median salary)
In Norway
Prisons in Norway have a main aim of reformation. It has been subject to debate on whether or not it is a good idea:
- Prison guards are instead called 'officers' to promote more friendliness betweeen them and inmates
- Officers take part in activities with inmates
- Reoffence in 2 years is only 20%, whilst the UK's is almost 50% in one year
- Nowegian prisons have won awards for their design and architecture
- Costs ~£98,000 per prisoner per year
In Russia
Prisons in Russia have a main aim of deterrence and retribution. They are widely criticised for their extreme and 'concentration-camp'-like conditions:
- Political prisoners are held there
- There is no privacy for inmates, either with other inmates or guards
- Russia has one of the highest incarceration rates in Europe
- Hard labour is common
- No rest is allowed between 6am to 10pm
- TVs are allowed, but they are controlled to play propaganda