A NEW WAY
LET'S DO THIS!!
​​​
-
HUMAN DIGNITY & REHABILITATION​
-
Focus on education, therapy, and personal responsibility-not harsh control.
-
U.S. recidivism: 60–70% vs. Norway: 20% or less.
-
Impact: fewer repeat incarcerations, more productive citizens, broken generational cycles of prison
-
REDUCE RACIAL and ECONOMICAL DISPARITIES U.S. prisons disproportionately harm- communities of color and those challenged economically.
​
​​
- SAFER PRISONS - SAFER COMMUNIITES
-
Norwegian officers trained like social workers-psychology, conflict resolution, rehabilitation.
-
Assaults dropped ≈ Norwegian-inspired techniques, assaults drop by 74% and use-of-force by 86%.
-
Home Staff use-of-force incidents dropped ~ 86% In the Behavioral Health Units, residents spend more time outside their cells, which correlates with lower disciplinary infractions and lower violence, improved mental health, and reduced PTSD and suicides.
The result: saved lives, fewer prisons, stronger families, higher earnings, and healthier communities — a justice system that restores rather than destroys.
-
​​​
. COSTS AND SAVINGS The U.S spends about $182 billion per year warehousing people:
Norway invests more per prisoner upfront (facilities, training, rehab) but saves long-term with reduced re-incarceration.
​
U.S. would gain~ lower long-term costs, healthier workforce paying taxes, less burden on welfare/ emergency systems, reduced staff turnover and lawsuits.​
​
Additional annual social/family costs add hundreds of billions more (for lost wages, broken families, etc.) reports estimate families lose nearly $350 billion per year due to incarceration of a loved one.
​​
Recidivism (repeat incarceration) studies estimate states spend $8 billion on reincarceration for people who exited prison in one year.
If the U.S. adopted Norway’s rehabilitation model- cutting recidivism from ~70% to ~20%—it could save and generate $30–$100 billion+ every year.
​​​​​​​​
IMPORTANT CAVEATS
-
The estimates above are rough and depend heavily on assumptions (magnitude of recidivism drop, how much rehabilitation costs, how quickly change happens).
-
Upfront investment likely would be significant (training, facility redesign, education/therapy programs) which eats into short-term savings.
​
The U.S. can save billions, restore credibility, and lead the world in a justice model that restores dignity, humanity, and hope.
​
​ A handful of U.S. states have begun piloting Norway-inspired prison reforms focused on dignity, normalization, and rehabilitation. North Dakota, Maine, Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania have led the way.
​
KEY OUTCOMES SO FAR ~
-
74–75% reduction in solitary confinement use in North Dakota after adopting Norwegian principles.
-
In Oregon’s Behavioral Health Unit, reforms led to sharp drops in violence and use of force, more out-of-cell time, and better mental-health outcomes.
-
Washington reported increased out-of-cell time and early positive culture shifts in restrictive housing.
-
South Carolina’s “Restoring Promise” units showed 73% lower
-
violent infractions and 83% fewer placements in restrictive housing, along with improved staff well-being.
​
​Most reforms remain pilot programs, but early data show significant reductions in violence and isolation, improved staff–resident relations, and a move toward more humane, effective correctional systems.
​
HOW WE CAN PUSH FOR THE CHANGE
​
"We The People" absolutely can make a difference in bringing Norwegian-inspired prison reforms into the U.S. correctional- system. In fact, every major U.S. prison reform (ending debtor’s prisons, banning juvenile life without parole in many states, shrinking solitary confinement) began with families, communities,
and advocates demanding change until policymakers had no choice but to listen.
​​​​
EDUCATE and SHIFT NARRATIVE
​ . Stop trying our youth (18) as adults. Their brain and emotional intelligence are not formed or equipped to make life decisions. This act would not only save thousands of lives, but would be a significant component to ending Mass Incarceration.
-
Share the success stories: lower assaults, less use of force, reduced recidivism, healthier environments for staff and incarcerated people.
-
Frame reform as a public safety issue: healthier prisons = safer communities = lower taxpayer burden.
-
Highlight human dignity: punishment is the loss of freedom, not the destruction of life or spirit.
​
LEGISLATIVE PRESSURE
-
Contact State Legislators: Most prison reform begins at the state level (corrections budgets, pilot programs, training). Constituents calling, emailing, and showing up matters.
-
Demand pilot programs: Push lawmakers to fund Norwegian-style “pilot” housing units, like Oregon did, and require public reporting on outcomes.
-
Back sentencing reform: Pair prison reform with laws that reduce over-incarceration and more discretion for youth and nonviolent offenses.
​
​
​​​
​
​
MOBOLIZE LOCAL POWER
​
-
Families & Faith Communities: Churches, mosques, and community groups often have moral authority and can pressure officials through public witness.
-
Coalitions: Join forces with prison reform nonprofits (e.g. Vera Institute, Prison Fellowship, AMEND at UCSF) that already study and advocate for these changes.
-
Media & Storytelling: Amplify personal stories — both from incarcerated people and staff — showing the toll of the current system and the hope reform brings.
​
HOLD DOC'S ACCOUNTABLE
-
File public records requests (Sunshine Law / FOIA) to expose abuses and highlight the need for reform.
-
Use lawsuits and advocacy campaigns to challenge inhumane conditions. Litigation often forces change when legislatures stall.
Coming Soon ~
Sample ~ LETTER TEMPLATE FOR HUMANE, SAFER, HEALTHIER PRISONS
Copy, paste and alter
​Dear Warden/Administrator’s Name,
We write as family members of incarcerated individuals in [Facility Name].
​
We are deeply concerned about the safety, dignity, and well-being of all who live within your institution — our loved ones, are concerned about the well-being of correctional staff/ administrative staff, and leadership who walk those same halls every day.
We recognize that correctional staff face significant challenges: understaffing, high stress, risk of violence, and often little emotional or mental health support. We also know that officers themselves are frequently pressured — not just by incarcerated people, but by their own peers. Too often, correctional staff are bullied, intimidated, or coerced by fellow staff into harassment or violence against inmates. This culture of peer pressure and silence harms staff and makes prisons less safe for everyone.
We believe that by addressing these realities together, we can reduce hostility and violence, improve morale, and create safer conditions for all.
​
We respectfully request that the administration consider the following collaborative efforts:
​
-
Open Dialogue: Establish regular family–staff forums where concerns can be raised constructively and solutions discussed.
-
Wellness Support for Staff: Expand access to trauma-informed care, stress management, and peer support programs for correctional officers and staff.
-
Training for Safer Environments: Advocate for additional training in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and conscious communication that benefits both staff and residents.
-
Accountability for Peer Pressure: Develop systems where officers can safely report harassment or coercion from their peers without fear of retaliation.
-
Shared Humanity: Foster a culture that affirms dignity for all people in the facility, reducing the “us vs. them” dynamic that fuels conflict.​
​
We want to be clear: families are not adversaries. We are partners in building a system where safety and respect are possible for everyone. We know that when officers are supported and well, they are better equipped to care for those incarcerated — and when incarcerated people have stability and hope, staff experience less violence, fewer crises, and stronger outcomes.
​
We stand ready to work with you toward solutions that uplift both staff and residents. Together, we can create a correctional environment where healing, not harm, defines the culture.
Thank you for your consideration, and for your continued commitment to the people under your care and supervision.
​
Respectfully,
Your Signature
Your Printed Name
Contact #
WE MUST WORK TOGETHER FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE
HOW TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR STAFF THAT REALLY DO CARE ABOUT OUR LOVED ONE.
WE ALL NEED TO BE SEEN TO KEEP SHINING OUR LIGHT!
