Norway's Newest Prison Has a Sense of Humor!

Set to open on April 1st Norway's Halden Prison is a very modern facility. It even boasts several humorous pieces of art reminiscent of Banksy. All cells have flat screen TVs and en-suite bathrooms, and some kind of view. The windows don’t have iron bars (but there is a fence around the compound). As prisons go, this one looks pretty comfortable.

The prison will occupy 300 acres of land just a few kilometres from the Swedish border. It will be home to 252 inmates, and will be the second largest in Norway, employing some 300 people. The brand new facilities include a gym, a training room, a sound studio, a chapel, a library, several workshops, a family visiting unit, a football pitch and a school.

The video below shows more of the facility (it is in Norwegian so I have no idea what they are saying).

Tags: architecture, design

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Comment by Kevin on March 1, 2010 at 4:14pm: Hopefully this great environment rehabilitates the prisoners. I would love to know the stats concerning released inmates who commit crimes again compared to our fucked up prison system.

Comment by Liam Kersting on March 1, 2010 at 3:11pm: Seriously? A free gym AND recording studio? I've gotta plan some crimes in Norway.

Comment by alice on March 1, 2010 at 3:00pm: talk about modern! love the art too...nice post, mark. thanks for your awesome contributions!

Comment by Eugene on March 1, 2010 at 1:59pm: Wow....I bet some bums would kill to live here. What a great facility. Totally diggin' the stencils.

Comment by sAm on March 1, 2010 at 1:56pm: Is this prison or a holiday inn? If I ever get caught doing something bad I want to go here!