Reentry and release
Nordic countries: release from prison and rehabilitation
How the Nordic countries handle release from prison and rehabilitation.
Where this research is used
This page is a research collection: individual facts drawn from the sources listed further down, each traced to where it came from. A research topic brings many collections together into one overview of an issue. The facts on this page feed these 3 topics; open one to see how they fit with the rest of the evidence.
Parole & Sentencing
Georgia's parole system is a discretionary clemency power, not a release schedule, and the record shows it has become steadily stingier: the lifer grant rate fell from 21.9 percent in fiscal years 2001–2006 to 5.8 percent in fiscal years 2022–2025, and overall parole releases dropped 42 percent between fiscal years 2019 and 2024. Meanwhile the statutory floor for parole eligibility for the state's most serious offenses rose from seven years to fourteen and then to thirty, and average time served on a life sentence climbed from under nine years in 1973 to 29.6 years in fiscal year 2025. The consequence is a growing population of aging, parole-eligible people who remain incarcerated while more than half of all releases now come at the expiration of a sentence rather than through the parole board.
15,260 data points
Recidivism & Reentry
Georgia reports one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country — 25 to 27 percent — but that figure counts only new felony convictions within three years, ignores technical violations of supervision, and removes people who die during the window. National data that count arrests over longer periods, and Georgia's own rising reconviction series, tell a different story: the state's three-year felony reconviction rate reached 30.7 percent for the fiscal year 2022 release cohort, the highest in its published 2011–2022 series. What separates the people who come back from those who do not is largely age, whether they completed programming, and whether anyone meets them at the gate with more than $25 and a bus ticket.
13,511 data points
Reform Models & Programs
Georgia's own reconviction data show that people who complete vocational, educational, or cognitive programming return to prison at lower rates than the general prison population — vocational completers at 13.64 percent against a 26.06 percent baseline in the fiscal 2021 release cohort. A deep national evidence base backs that pattern: RAND found correctional education participants had 43 percent lower odds of recidivating and roughly $4 to $5 returned per dollar spent. Yet Georgia's statewide vocational education budget is $172,000, a university prison program was shut down in 2024, and the U.S. Department of Justice found programming had been 'slashed rather than expanded.' The distance between what the evidence supports and what the department delivers is the defining fact of Georgia's reform landscape.
14,390 data points
Key Findings
The most impactful data from this research collection. Tap a card for the full finding and its source.
The finding
In Finland, release practice is fixed such that about 99% of prisoners released each year are released on parole.
The finding
The San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council report states that while 95% of people incarcerated in California will eventually be released, 45% of those released in 2018 received a conviction within three years and 20% returned to prison.
The finding
The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported that recidivism rates in a person's first year after release fell from 22.8 percent in 2015 to 13 percent in 2018, the most recent data available.
The finding
UCSF's Amend program reports that North Dakota's department of corrections decreased its use of solitary confinement by 80% after adopting Norwegian-inspired reforms.
The finding
A PLOS ONE case study reports that the Oregon Resource Team program, following staff training by Norwegian officers, led to a nearly 86% drop in staff use-of-force incidents in the Behavioral Health Unit and an almost 74% drop in the rate of assaults among residents who interacted with trained teams, comparing 2016 to 2021.
The finding
Norway's average amount spent per day for the detention of one inmate during 2023 was 532.00 €.
The finding
Kriminalomsorgen reports that for unconditional imprisonment as a sanction, reconviction measured within two years after completed punishment fell steadily from 22 percent in 2009 to 13 percent in 2022.
All Data Points
137 verified data points extracted from primary sources.
Norway § 16: transfer to serve sentence outside prison after half served Legal fact
Norway's straffegjennomføringsloven § 16 allows Kriminalomsorgen to transfer a convicted person to serve the sentence outside prison under special conditions once half the sentence time has been served, where suitable to secure continued especially positive development and prevent reoffending.
Iceland: probationary release possible after two-thirds of sentence Legal fact
Iceland's Act on the Enforcement of Sentences (2016 nr. 15) provides that once a prisoner has served two-thirds of the sentence, Fangelsismálastofnun (the Prison and Probation Administration) may decide that he/she shall be released on probation (reynslulausn).
Norway community sentence reconviction rate 2022 Statistic
Kriminalomsorgen reports that community sentences (samfunnsstraff) had a two-year reconviction rate of ten percent in 2022, down from 16 percent in 2012.
10% vs. 16 2012 reconviction rate (percent)
Iceland statute defines reynslulausn as conditional waiver of part of sentence Legal fact
Iceland's Act No. 15/2016 on the Execution of Sentences defines 'reynslulausn' (conditional/probationary release) as a conditional waiver of part of the sentence: 'Reynslulausn: Skilorðsbundin eftirgjöf hluta refsingar.'
Georgia: serious violent felony sentence must be served in full Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1 provides that a sentence for a first conviction of a serious violent felony shall be served in its entirety as imposed by the sentencing court and shall not be reduced by any form of parole or early release administered by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles or by any earned time, early release, work release, leave, or other sentence-reducing measures under programs administered by the Department of Corrections.
Norway § 16a: electronic monitoring for sentences up to 6 months Legal fact
Norway's straffegjennomføringsloven § 16a allows a sentence to be served outside prison with electronic monitoring where the unconditional prison sentence, or remaining time until expected release, is up to 6 months, and this is suitable to secure positive development and prevent reoffending.
Iceland: half-sentence release for non-serious offenses Legal fact
Iceland's Act on the Enforcement of Sentences permits probationary release after half the sentence has passed for a prisoner who is not serving a sentence for a serious or otherwise grave offense (e.g., homicide, violent or sexual offenses, deprivation of liberty, major drug offenses, arson or other public-danger offenses, robbery).
Norway electronic monitoring reconviction rate 2022 Statistic
Kriminalomsorgen reports that electronic monitoring (EK) had the lowest reconviction rate throughout the measurement period, at five percent in 2022 for full electronic-monitoring execution (helgjennomføring med EK).
5%
Finland: about 99% of released prisoners released on parole Statistic
In Finland, release practice is fixed such that about 99% of prisoners released each year are released on parole.
99%
Georgia: parole barred until drug program completed for substance-involved inmates Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(h) provides that an inmate whose offense or history indicates alcohol or drug involvement shall not be considered for parole until the inmate has successfully completed an Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program offered by the Department of Corrections.
Norway § 20: day release (frigang) for work, education, programs Legal fact
Norway's straffegjennomføringsloven § 20 allows Kriminalomsorgen to permit an inmate to participate in work, education, program or other measures outside prison (day release/'frigang'), if security reasons do not argue against it and there is no reason to believe the inmate will evade execution of the sentence.
Iceland: half-sentence release for grave offenses under special circumstances Legal fact
Iceland's Act on the Enforcement of Sentences permits probationary release after half the sentence has passed even where the prisoner is serving a sentence for a serious or grave offense, if very special personal circumstances warrant it and the prisoner's conduct and behavior during the sentence have been excellent.
Norway correctional staff full-time equivalents Statistic
Kriminalomsorgen's annual report states it had 4,215 full-time equivalent staff positions (årsverk).
4,215 full-time equivalents
Finland parole timing: two-thirds for recidivists, one-half for first-time prisoners Policy
In Finland, as a rule, recidivists are released on parole after serving two-thirds of their sentence, and first-time prisoners after serving one-half.
Georgia: drug-trafficking recidivists may seek parole after criminogenic programming Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45(b)(3)(E) allows a person sentenced under the drug-trafficking recidivist provision to become eligible for parole consideration if they have completed all criminogenic programming requirements as determined by a validated risk assessment instrument approved by the Department of Corrections.
Norway § 12: sentence served as round-the-clock institutional treatment Legal fact
Norway's straffegjennomføringsloven § 12 allows a sentence to be served, in special cases, wholly or partly as a round-the-clock stay in an institution (treatment), if the stay is necessary to improve the convicted person's ability to function socially and lawfully, or other compelling reasons support it.
Iceland: one-third release for prisoners aged 21 or younger at offense Legal fact
Iceland's Act on the Enforcement of Sentences permits probationary release after only one-third of the sentence has passed if the prisoner was 21 years old or younger when committing the offense, his or her conduct and behavior have been excellent, and he or she has received appropriate treatment during the sentence and addressed any substance-abuse problem.
Norway total prison-days Statistic
Kriminalomsorgen's annual report reports a total of 1,103,588 prison-days (fengselsdøgn) for the year covered.
1,103,588 prison-days
Finland parole decided by prison director Policy
In Finland, release on parole is based on the decision of the director of the prison.
Georgia: mental health court completion may reduce or modify sentence Legal fact
O.C.G.A. § 15-1-16(c)(3) provides that if a mental health court division participant successfully completes the mental health court division program as part of a sentence imposed by the court, the sentence of the participant may be reduced or modified.
Sweden: conditional release at two-thirds (under 6 years) or three-quarters (6+ years) Legal fact
Under Sweden's Brottsbalk (1962:700), a person serving a fixed-term prison sentence shorter than six years is conditionally released when two-thirds of the sentence has been served; for sentences of six years or more, conditional release occurs after three-quarters has been served.
Iceland: electronic monitoring for sentences of 12 months or longer Legal fact
Iceland's Act on the Enforcement of Sentences provides that when the sentence imposed is 12 months of unconditional imprisonment or longer, Fangelsismálastofnun may allow the prisoner to complete the sentence outside prison, provided the person wears equipment that makes it possible to monitor his or her movements.
Norway operating cost per preventive detention place Statistic
Kriminalomsorgen's annual report lists the operating cost per place ('driftskostnad per plass') for forvaring (preventive detention) as 3,150,000 kroner.
3,150,000 NOK per place
Finland 2006 law introduced probationary liberty under supervision Policy
Finland's 2006 prison law introduced 'probationary liberty under supervision' as an early-release program for long-term prisoners, available at most six months before normal conditional release.
Sweden: Kriminalvården decides postponed conditional release; immediate effect Legal fact
Under Sweden's Brottsbalk, Kriminalvården (the Swedish Prison and Probation Service) decides on postponed conditional release, and such decisions take immediate effect unless decided otherwise.
Iceland: electronic-monitoring duration formula (60 days at 12 months, +5 days/month, max 360) Legal fact
Iceland's Act on the Enforcement of Sentences provides that when the sentence imposed is 12 months of unconditional imprisonment, service under electronic monitoring can be 60 days, lengthening by five days for each additional sentenced month, up to a maximum of 360 days.
Norway operating cost per high-security place Statistic
Kriminalomsorgen's annual report lists the operating cost per place for high-security prison places (høyt sikkerhetsnivå) as 1,620,000 kroner.
1,620,000 NOK per place
Finland probationary liberty conditions Policy
Preconditions for Finland's probationary liberty under supervision include: it fits the prisoner's individual sentence plan; all information indicates the conditions will be met; and the prisoner abstains from alcohol and substance use and agrees to alcohol and substance abuse control.
California: Newsom announced San Quentin transformation plan in March 2023 Policy
In March 2023, Governor Newsom announced a plan to further transform San Quentin into a model rehabilitation center, and in May 2023 he assembled an Advisory Council of Californians from different professional and experiential backgrounds to collect and offer recommendations about the transformation.
Sweden: grounds for postponing conditional release Legal fact
Swedish law requires conditional release to be postponed if the convicted person, during enforcement in a correctional institution, has not participated in or has mishandled assigned measures aimed at preventing reoffending, or has otherwise seriously violated the rules and conditions of enforcement.
Iceland: part of sentence may be served outside prison for work, study, training or treatment Legal fact
Iceland's Act on the Enforcement of Sentences provides that Fangelsismálastofnun may allow a prisoner to serve part of the sentence outside prison, provided he pursues work, study, vocational training or treatment approved by Fangelsismálastofnun and that is part of his adjustment to society.
Norway average operating cost per place Statistic
Kriminalomsorgen's annual report lists the average operating cost across all place types ('snitt alle plassene') as 1,480,000 kroner.
1,480,000 NOK per place
Finland abolished preventive detention in 2006, replaced by 'in full' sentence orders Legal fact
In connection with the total reform of prison law in 2006, Finland abolished preventive detention and replaced it with a system allowing courts to order serious violent offenders to serve their sentence 'in full', intended to be used as restrictively as the earlier preventive detention system.
Iceland: community service of 40-480 hours for sentences up to 12 months Legal fact
Iceland's Act on the Enforcement of Sentences provides that when a person has been sentenced to up to 12 months of unconditional imprisonment, it is permitted, if public interests do not weigh against it, to serve the sentence through unpaid community service, at least 40 hours and at most 480 hours.
Norway correctional budget allocation Statistic
Kriminalomsorgen's annual report lists the total allocation under chapter 430/431 post 01-70 ('samlet tildeling') as 6,926,921 (thousand kroner).
6,926,921 thousand NOK
Finland 'in full' sentence prisoners eligible for parole after 5/6 or at least three years Legal fact
In Finland, prisoners ordered to serve their sentence 'in full' can be released on parole after serving 5/6 of the sentence but at least three years; the Helsinki Court of Appeal decides on release.
California prison population dropped from almost 173,000 in 2006 Trend
The San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council's report states that California's prison population has dropped from almost 173,000 in 2006 as a result of sentencing reform over the past decade that made changes to reduce sentence lengths and allow more people to earn their release.
Norway § 79: 21-year ceiling on aggregated ordinary prison sentence Legal fact
Norway's straffeloven § 79 sets an absolute ceiling of 21 years on an aggregated ordinary prison sentence: where a court increases a sentence beyond the ordinary statutory maximum (for multiple offenses, repeat offending, or organized crime), the increase can never bring the sentence beyond 21 years (or beyond 15 years for someone under 18 at the time of the act).
Finland: conditional release at two-thirds, or half for first-time prisoners Legal fact
A person serving a fixed-term Finnish prison sentence is released on conditional release, unless otherwise provided, when two-thirds of the sentence has been served; a prisoner who had not served a prison sentence before committing the offense is released on conditional release when half of the sentence has been served.
Source
Norway prison activation rate 2025 Statistic
Norway's overall result for prison activation (share of prison-days with registered work, education, programme or other activity) was 81 percent in 2025.
81%
Finland life-sentence parole eligibility after 12 years (10 if offense under age 21) Legal fact
In Finland, life-sentence prisoners can be released on parole once at least 12 years of the prison sentence has been served, or ten years if the offense was committed under age 21; the Helsinki Court of Appeal decides on release.
Dr. Brie Williams chaired San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council Case detail
The San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council was chaired by Dr. Brie Williams, Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco and Director of Amend at UCSF, along with Doug Bond, Ronald Broomfield, and Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
Sweden proposition: probation period raised to at least two years, supervision as main rule Legal fact
A Swedish government proposition (2025/26:34) proposed that the probation period after conditional release be at least two years instead of the then-current one year, and that a conditionally released person as a general rule be placed under supervision.
Norway high-security prison activation rate Statistic
In Norway, prisons with a high security level had a prison activation rate of 75 percent.
75%
Finland young offenders (15-20) released after 1/3 or 1/2 of sentence, minimum 14 days served Policy
In Finland, offenders between 15 and 20 years old are released after serving 1/3 of the sentence as first offenders or 1/2 as recidivists; in all cases the prisoner must have served at least fourteen days.
California: 45% of 2018 releases reconvicted within three years; 20% returned to prison Statistic
The San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council report states that while 95% of people incarcerated in California will eventually be released, 45% of those released in 2018 received a conviction within three years and 20% returned to prison.
45% vs. 20 percent returned to prison
Sweden proposition: effective date 1 January 2026, except quota-raising amendments Legal fact
The Swedish proposition proposed that the law changes take effect on 1 January 2026, except for amendments raising the share of sentence time that must be served before conditional release, which were proposed to take effect on a date the government decides.
Finland: supervised probationary freedom (valvottu koevapaus) up to six months before conditional release Legal fact
A prisoner may be placed outside prison under technical and other supervision in valvottu koevapaus (supervised probationary freedom) at the earliest six months before conditional release.
Source
Norway lower-security prison activation rate Statistic
In Norway, prisons with a lower security level had a prison activation rate of 92 percent.
92%
Axios: nearly half of 2018 California releases reconvicted within three years Statistic
A 2023 CDCR report found that nearly half of California inmates released from prison in 2018 received a conviction within three years, and 20% returned to prison, according to Axios San Francisco.
20%
Sweden proposition: three-quarters quota for sentences under 6 years to be phased in Legal fact
The Swedish proposition proposed that raising the quota to three-quarters of the sentence, for sentences shorter than six years, take effect in stages on a date the government decides, rather than immediately.
Pratt on Scandinavian welfare state and punitivity Finding
John Pratt argues that the Scandinavian welfare state builds high levels of egalitarianism, social capital and civic responsibility, with correspondingly low levels of fear of crime and punitivity, and that the Scandinavian countries have the lowest income differentials in the OECD.
North Dakota first-year recidivism fell from 22.8% (2015) to 13% (2018) Statistic
The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported that recidivism rates in a person's first year after release fell from 22.8 percent in 2015 to 13 percent in 2018, the most recent data available.
13% vs. 22.8 percent in 2015
Norway § 40: preventive detention (forvaring) criteria Legal fact
Norway's straffeloven § 40 permits a court to sentence a person to forvaring (preventive detention) in an institution under Kriminalomsorgen, instead of an ordinary prison sentence, when an ordinary prison sentence is not considered sufficient to protect others' life, health or freedom, and the offender is found guilty of having committed or attempted a violent offense, sexual offense, deprivation of liberty, arson or another specified offense, with a serious offense requiring a close danger of reoffending.
Finland: life-sentence release proceedings handled by Helsinki Court of Appeal Legal fact
Proceedings on the conditional release of a life-sentenced prisoner in the Helsinki Court of Appeal are governed by the Act on the release procedure for life-sentenced prisoners.
Source
Pratt on fragility of Scandinavian exceptionalism Finding
John Pratt states that as the bedrock on which Scandinavian exceptionalism was built, particularly the emphasis on homogeneity and egalitarianism, begins to shift, there are no guarantees against penal excess, noting that in Sweden especially, signs and symbols of punishment have become more apparent.
North Dakota BIU: 493 positive behavior reports vs. 225 rule violations, 2015-2019 Statistic
At North Dakota State Penitentiary's Behavior Intervention Unit, officers issued more than twice as many positive behavior reports as rule violations between 2015 and 2019 (493 PBRs versus 225 rule violations).
493 positive behavior reports vs. 225 rule violations
Norway § 43: forvaring time-frame ordinarily max 15 years, never over 21 (30 for 30-year-max offenses) Legal fact
Norway's straffeloven § 43 provides that a forvaring (preventive detention) sentence carries a time-frame that ordinarily should not exceed 15 years and can never exceed 21 years, except that for offenses with a statutory maximum of imprisonment up to 30 years, the court can set a time-frame of up to 30 years.
Finland: conditional release may be postponed with prisoner's consent Legal fact
Conditional release of a Finnish prisoner may, with the prisoner's consent, be postponed if new prison sentences or conversion sentences for fines are to be enforced, or if the prisoner for another justified reason wishes the release to be postponed.
Source
Iceland general prison sentence limits Legal fact
Iceland's almenn hegningarlög (General Penal Code) provides that a person may be sentenced to prison for life or for a fixed term, not less than 30 days and not more than 16 years.
North Dakota returned 30 people from long-term solitary after Norway immersion Case detail
In the weeks immediately following their 2015 immersion experience in Norway, North Dakota DOCR officials returned 30 people from long-term solitary confinement to the general population.
Norway § 31: determinate sentences over 4 months set in months/years; up to 120 days in days Legal fact
Norway's straffeloven § 31 states that an ordinary determinate prison sentence of more than 4 months is set in months and years, while a sentence of up to and including 120 days is set in days.
Denmark defines recidivism as new sentence within two years; Finland, Iceland, Norway lacked national practice Methodology note
Kriminalforsorgen in Denmark defines, in its annual statistical reports, recidivism as relapse into new criminality that results in a new conditional or unconditional sentence within the first two years after release, whereas Finland, Iceland and Norway had no corresponding national practice for defining recidivism.
Iceland increased penalty up to 20 years Legal fact
Iceland's almenn hegningarlög provides that where the law permits an increased penalty for an offense, the limits on ordinary sentence length shall not then prevent a sentence of imprisonment of up to 20 years.
North Dakota: NDSP fights rose from 1.29 to 1.98 per 100 incarcerated per month Statistic
The North Dakota case study found that at NDSP, fights between incarcerated people increased across all housing units from over 1 to just under 2 incidents per 100 incarcerated persons per month (1.29 vs. 1.98, p < 0.001) comparing the pre-reform and post-reform periods.
2.0 incidents per 100 incarcerated persons per month vs. 1.3 pre-reform rate
Denmark § 38(2): earlier probationary release after half served (min 2 months) Legal fact
Denmark's straffeloven § 38, stk. 2 allows earlier probationary release, when special circumstances warrant it, once the convicted person has served half of the sentence time (at least 2 months), decided by the Minister of Justice or a delegate.
Source
Retur study: Nordic recidivism differences reflect population composition Finding
The Retur study's authors state that recidivism in the individual Nordic countries reflects differences in the composition of each country's prison and probation population.
Brå definition of recidivism Methodology note
Brå's recidivism statistics define återfall i brott (recidivism) as new convicted crimes following a person's ingångshändelse (starting event) within a defined follow-up period, reported within one, two and three years calculated from the date of the starting event.
North Dakota: JRCC fights dropped after 2015 reforms, low point end of 2019 Trend
At the James River Correctional Center in North Dakota, fights were rising precipitously before reforms were implemented, but dropped substantially at the start of 2015 and reached a low point at the end of 2019.
Denmark § 40a: early release for special rehabilitation effort after half served Legal fact
Denmark's straffeloven § 40 a allows the Minister of Justice or a delegate, once half the sentence time (at least 2 months) has been served, to decide on probationary release beyond the cases in § 38(2) where the convict has made a special effort not to reoffend, including by participating in a treatment programme, education, work training or work, or where the convict's circumstances otherwise support it.
Source
Norway 20% recidivism vs about 30% in Sweden and Finland (total population) Statistic
In Norway only 20% of the total population (released prisoners and probation/supervision clients combined) recidivated, while about 30% recidivated in Sweden and Finland.
20% vs. 30 Sweden and Finland recidivism rate
Sweden life sentence conversion eligibility after 12 years Legal fact
An application for conversion of a Swedish life sentence to a fixed-term sentence may be made once the convicted person has served at least twelve years of the life sentence.
North Dakota solitary confinement use decreased 80% after Norwegian-inspired reforms Statistic
UCSF's Amend program reports that North Dakota's department of corrections decreased its use of solitary confinement by 80% after adopting Norwegian-inspired reforms.
80%
Denmark § 70: forvaring (indefinite preventive detention) criteria Legal fact
Denmark's straffeloven § 70 permits a court to sentence a person to forvaring (indefinite preventive detention) if the person is found guilty of homicide, robbery, deprivation of liberty, a serious violent crime, certain threats, or arson (or an attempt at these), and is assessed to present a proximate danger to others' life, body, health or liberty, and forvaring in place of ordinary imprisonment is found necessary to prevent that danger.
Source
Finland has largest Nordic 2-year recidivism share (31%); Norway smallest (20%) Finding
The share of released prisoners and probation/supervision clients who recidivate within a 2-year follow-up period varies between the Nordic countries; overall 31% recidivate in Finland, the largest share, while only 20% recidivate in Norway.
Sweden life sentence conversion applicants Legal fact
An application for conversion of a Swedish life sentence may be made by the convicted person or, when there are special grounds, by Kriminalvården, and a Kriminalvården decision to apply for conversion cannot be appealed.
Oregon: 44 of 133 BHU residents (33.1%) engaged with Resource Team, Jan-Sep 2021 Statistic
Of the 133 people housed in any mental health special housing unit at Oregon State Penitentiary between January and September of 2021, 44 people (33.1% of total) engaged at least once with the Oregon Resource Team.
44 people vs. 133 total BHU residents
Denmark § 38: probationary release decision at two-thirds served (min 2 months) Legal fact
Denmark's straffeloven § 38 provides that when two-thirds of the sentence time, but at least 2 months, has been served, the Minister of Justice or a delegate decides whether the convicted person shall be released on probation.
Source
Retur study community-sanction cohort covers 2005 completions Methodology note
The Retur study's category table for clients who served a community sanction covers persons who completed a sentence in the community (kriminalforsorgen i frihed) in 2005.
Iceland prisoner work pay rate Statistic
Iceland's National Audit Office reports that for all work and school attendance by prisoners, 415 krónur per hour is currently paid.
415 ISK per hour
Oregon: 23% reduction in sick leave among participating staff Finding
A correctional administrator at the Oregon Resource Team said that the last time they analyzed the numbers, they saw a 23% reduction in the use of sick leave among participating staff members.
Denmark § 41: life-sentence probationary release review after 12 years Legal fact
Denmark's straffeloven § 41 provides that when 12 years of a life sentence (fængsel på livstid) have been served, the Minister of Justice or a delegate decides whether the convict shall be released on probation.
Source
San Quentin rehabilitation center budget cut from $360M to about $239M Statistic
The San Quentin rehabilitation center project's budget was priced at $360 million in the Budget Act of 2023 in July 2023; that December the price was changed to a lower figure of around $239 million.
$239M million USD vs. 360 Original July 2023 budget (million USD)
Iceland prisoner daily allowance unchanged since 2011 Statistic
Iceland's National Audit Office reports that if a prisoner cannot be provided work, or is unable to work due to illness, a daily allowance of 630 kr. per day is paid, an amount unchanged since 2011.
630 ISK per day
Oregon Resource Team reached only one-third of BHU residents Finding
The Oregon Resource Team's five full-time staff members were able to provide individualized engagements to only one-third of the persons in the Behavioral Health Unit over the study period.
Denmark § 70(2): proximate-danger assessment based on act and prior criminality Legal fact
Denmark's straffeloven § 70, no. 2 requires that, based on the nature of the act and information about the person including prior criminality, it must be assumed the person presents a proximate danger to others' life, body, health or liberty.
Source
Denmark prison population rate 69.3 per 100,000 (adjusted 67.8) Statistic
Denmark's non-adjusted prison population rate was 69.3 per 100,000 inhabitants (4,129 inmates among a population of 5,961,249), with an adjusted rate of 67.8 per 100,000.
69.3 per 100,000 inhabitants vs. 67.8 Adjusted rate per 100,000
Iceland prison-return rate 2016-2020 Trend
Iceland's National Audit Office reports that, in a pan-Nordic comparison measuring returns to prison within two years of completing a sentence, Iceland's prison-return rate was 20% in 2016, 14% in 2017, 21% in 2018, 22% in 2019 and 20% in 2020.
Oregon DOC officials attended Norway prison culture program led by Amend in 2017 Case detail
In 2017, amid ongoing concerns over the operation of the BHU, Oregon Department of Corrections officials participated in a public health-focused prison culture transformation program in Norway led by Amend, a group of academics based in the School of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco.
Shammas: 'pains of freedom' in Norway's open Prison Island: five sub-categories Finding
Victor Shammas's study of Norway's open 'Prison Island' argues that even under exceptional conditions of Scandinavian incarceration, new vectors and modes of punishment arise that produce 'pains of freedom,' classified into five sub-categories: confusion; anxiety and boundlessness; ambiguity; relative deprivation; and individual responsibility.
Finland prison population rate 54.3 per 100,000 Statistic
Finland's prison population rate (non-adjusted, same as adjusted) was 54.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, based on 3,041 inmates among a population of 5,603,851.
54.3 per 100,000 inhabitants
Iceland recidivism performance target 2022-2028 Policy
Iceland's National Audit Office reports a 2022 performance target table in which the indicator 'tölur um endurkomu' (recidivism/return numbers) stood at 22 percent in 2022, with a 2024 benchmark of not increasing and a 2028 benchmark of under 20 percent.
Oregon Resource Team began Q1 2019, initiated by OSP officers trained by Norwegian officers Case detail
The Oregon Resource Team began in the first quarter of 2019, initiated by a small group of Oregon State Penitentiary correctional officers who were trained by Norwegian officers through classroom-based instruction and job shadowing opportunities in Norway and Oregon.
Sweden: Kristersson government elected 2022 on get-tough-on-crime platform Finding
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's centre-right minority government, backed by the Sweden Democrats, came to power in 2022 with a vow to get tough on crime.
Iceland prison population rate 35.1 per 100,000 Statistic
Iceland's prison population rate (non-adjusted, same as adjusted) was 35.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, based on 140 inmates among a population of 398,940.
35.1 per 100,000 inhabitants
Norway 2005 release cohort new prison sentence rate Statistic
Statistics Norway (SSB) reports that, for a cohort of 5,503 people released from prison in 2005, within the first year of freedom 20 percent committed a new offense that resulted in them being returned to a new prison sentence (measuring reconviction as a new prison sentence specifically, as opposed to a new charge or a new conviction of any type).
20%
Oregon: use-of-force down nearly 86%, assaults down almost 74% (2016-2021) Statistic
A PLOS ONE case study reports that the Oregon Resource Team program, following staff training by Norwegian officers, led to a nearly 86% drop in staff use-of-force incidents in the Behavioral Health Unit and an almost 74% drop in the rate of assaults among residents who interacted with trained teams, comparing 2016 to 2021.
86% vs. 74 percent drop in assaults among residents interacting with trained teams
Sweden: Lundh inquiry suggested doubling sentences for organised-crime ties Finding
A Swedish government inquiry (the Lundh inquiry) said that sentences could be doubled if the offender was tied to organised crime, while noting sentencing should still be up to judges.
Norway prison population rate 54.1 per 100,000 (adjusted 54.0) Statistic
Norway's non-adjusted prison population rate was 54.1 per 100,000 inhabitants (3,004 inmates among a population of 5,550,203), with an adjusted rate of 54.0 per 100,000.
54.1 per 100,000 inhabitants vs. 54 Adjusted rate per 100,000
Finland definition of uusija (reoffender) Methodology note
RISE's statistical yearbook defines a 'uusija' (reoffender/re-imprisoned person) as someone who, after release, has committed at least one new offense resulting in a final (res judicata) unconditional prison sentence or community-service sentence, with the follow-up period starting on the release date and ending on the date of the first reoffense or on the date of death.
Pennsylvania Little Scandinavia began with 2017 Drexel-facilitated visit; DOC trip to Scandinavia in 2019 Case detail
The Little Scandinavia project at SCI Chester began in 2017 when Drexel University facilitated a visit to SCI Chester with Norwegian prison officials, and a group of DOC personnel, including the superintendent, unit manager and corrections officers, later traveled to Norway, Sweden and Denmark in 2019.
Sweden prison population rate 92.4 per 100,000 Statistic
Sweden's prison population rate (non-adjusted, same as adjusted) was 92.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, based on 9,748 inmates among a population of 10,551,707.
92.4 per 100,000 inhabitants
Finland foreign-national prisoner record 2024 Statistic
RISE's 2024 yearbook reports that the daily average number of foreign-national prisoners in Finland rose to a new record of 687 in 2024, about 130 more than the year before.
687 prisoners (daily average) vs. 130 increase over prior year
Pennsylvania Little Scandinavia unit has 64 single cells; pilot began with six men in 2020 Statistic
The Little Scandinavia unit at SCI Chester is comprised of 64 single cells, and six men moved onto the unit as part of a pilot beginning in 2020, with remaining participants similarly chosen.
64 single cells vs. 6 men in initial 2020 pilot
Norway Ombudsman: solitary confinement driven by prison finances/practical challenges, not inmate conduct Finding
The Norwegian Parliamentary Ombudsman's report found that the most extensive use of solitary confinement in Norwegian prisons was not due to the conduct of the inmate, but to financial or practical challenges within the prison organisation.
Denmark average length of imprisonment 5.8 months (2023) Statistic
Denmark's indicator of the average length of imprisonment based on the stock and flow during 2023 was 5.8 months.
5.8 months
Finland study share of prisoner time use 2024 Statistic
RISE's 2024 yearbook reports that in 2024 the share of study (opiskelu) in sentenced prisoners' total time use was 11 percent, and other active programs such as substance-abuse rehabilitation programs, offending-behavior programs and other social rehabilitation programs accounted for seven percent of time use.
11% vs. 7 other active programs share (percent)
Pennsylvania: Drexel and University of Oslo to evaluate Little Scandinavia Methodology note
Researchers led by Drexel University and the University of Oslo will collaborate with the Pennsylvania DOC to evaluate the Little Scandinavia initiative, collecting data on prison climate, staff and inmate perceptions of well-being, and disciplinary actions.
Little Scandinavia unveiled with Norwegian, Swedish, Drexel, and Oslo partners Case detail
Pennsylvania DOC's Little Scandinavia unit at SCI Chester was officially unveiled with partners from the Norwegian Correctional Service (Kriminalomsorgen), the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården), Drexel University, and the University of Oslo, joined by Acting Secretary George Little.
Denmark: Kriminalforsorgen recidivism definition (two-year observation period) Methodology note
Kriminalforsorgen defines recidivism (recidiv) as a relapse into a new unconditional sentence or a new conditional sentence with supervision, including a community-service sentence, with the new sentence being the first sentence in a two-year observation period after release from prison or the start of a supervision measure.
Finland average length of imprisonment 5.7 months (2023) Statistic
Finland's indicator of the average length of imprisonment based on the stock and flow during 2023 was 5.7 months.
5.7 months
Finland five-year reoffense rate for 2019 releases Statistic
RISE's statistical yearbook reports that of people released from Finnish prisons in 2019, 62 percent committed at least one new offense leading to a new unconditional (unsuspended) prison sentence or community service sentence within a five-year follow-up period.
62%
Norway: parole MAY be granted after two-thirds of sentence plus 60 days Legal fact
Norway's straffegjennomføringsloven § 42 first paragraph provides that Kriminalomsorgen (the Correctional Service) may release a convicted person on parole/trial release once two-thirds of the sentence, plus at least 60 days, has been served, counting any remand time.
Iceland average length of imprisonment 5.4 months (2023) Statistic
Iceland's indicator of the average length of imprisonment based on the stock and flow during 2023 was 5.4 months.
5.4 months
Norway: parole after half of sentence plus 60 days if special reasons Legal fact
Norway's straffegjennomføringsloven § 42 fourth paragraph allows Kriminalomsorgen to release a convicted person on parole after only half the prison sentence, plus at least 60 days, has been served, if special reasons indicate it.
Norway average length of imprisonment 5.5 months (2023) Statistic
Norway's indicator of the average length of imprisonment based on the stock and flow during 2023 was 5.5 months.
5.5 months
Finland activities share of weekday work time Statistic
RISE's yearbook states that activities' share of weekday work time was about 46 percent, with about 54 percent of weekday work time being other time such as non-participation, sick days, transfer days, court-travel days or leave days.
46% vs. 54 other time share (percent)
Norway: parole barred if release inadvisable on overall assessment Legal fact
Under straffegjennomføringsloven § 42, Kriminalomsorgen must not grant parole if, on an overall assessment, circumstances make release inadvisable, and must give particular weight to the convicted person's conduct during execution of the sentence and whether there is reason to assume the person will commit new criminal acts during the probationary period.
Sweden average length of imprisonment 5.5 months (2023) Statistic
Sweden's indicator of the average length of imprisonment based on the stock and flow during 2023 was 5.5 months.
5.5 months
Denmark prison employment rate 2024 Statistic
In Denmark, the completed employment rate for inmates in prisons was 84 percent in 2024.
84%
Denmark: 23% two-year recidivism for 2018 base population Statistic
Within the two-year observation period, 23% of the base population from 2018 received a new sentence that led to being reincarcerated or placed under Kriminalforsorgen's supervision.
23%
Denmark daily cost per inmate €218 (€185 pretrial, €248 sentenced), 2023 Statistic
Denmark's average amount spent per day for the detention of one inmate during 2023 was 218.00 €, with 185.00 € for a detainee not serving a final sentence and 248.00 € for a sentenced prisoner.
218 euros per day vs. 248 Daily cost for sentenced prisoner (euros)
Sweden prison employment rate 2025 Statistic
Sweden's prison employment rate (sysselsättningsgrad) decreased to 66 percent in 2025.
66%
Finland daily cost per inmate €223.40 (2023) Statistic
Finland's average amount spent per day for the detention of one inmate during 2023 was 223.40 €.
223.4 euros per day
Sweden clients in prison employment Statistic
In Sweden, the number of clients participating in prison employment was about 15,200.
15,200 clients
Norway daily cost per inmate €532 (2023) Statistic
Norway's average amount spent per day for the detention of one inmate during 2023 was 532.00 €.
532 euros per day
Sweden treatment-programme target group completions Statistic
In Sweden in 2025, just over 9,500 clients belonging to the treatment-programme target group completed a prison sentence.
9,500 clients
Sweden daily cost per inmate €361 (€342 pretrial, €370 sentenced), 2023 Statistic
Sweden's average amount spent per day for the detention of one inmate during 2023 was 361.00 €, with 342.00 € for a detainee not serving a final sentence and 370.00 € for a sentenced prisoner.
361 euros per day vs. 370 Daily cost for sentenced prisoner (euros)
Sweden treatment programme participation rate Statistic
In Sweden, among clients belonging to the target group for treatment programmes who completed a prison sentence, 32 percent participated in some treatment programme.
32%
Norway reconviction definition: new sentence within 2 or 5 years of completed punishment Methodology note
Kriminalomsorgen (Norway's Correctional Service) defines reconviction (tilbakefall) as a new court sentence within two or five years after completed punishment, with the new sentence dated to the first offense date of the new crime.
Sweden treatment programme completion rate Statistic
In Sweden, 26 percent of the clients belonging to the treatment-programme target group who completed a prison sentence completed a treatment during the prison sentence.
26%
Norway reconviction after unconditional imprisonment fell 22% (2009) to 13% (2022) Trend
Kriminalomsorgen reports that for unconditional imprisonment as a sanction, reconviction measured within two years after completed punishment fell steadily from 22 percent in 2009 to 13 percent in 2022.
Denmark prison employment performance target Policy
Denmark's Kriminalforsorgen set a performance target that completed employment for inmates in prisons should be at least 80 percent.
Source
Norway: under-25s have highest reconviction (26% after prison); over-40s lowest Finding
Kriminalomsorgen reports that people under 25 years old have clearly the highest reconviction rate, especially after completing a prison sentence (26 percent), while people over 40 have the lowest reconviction rate.
Denmark education share performance target Policy
Denmark's Kriminalforsorgen set a performance target that competency-generating education should make up at least 10 percent of total completed employment in the prisons.
Source
Finland parole eligibility for offenders under 21 Legal fact
A Finnish government bill describes current Finnish law as providing that a prisoner who committed their offense while under 21 years old is released on parole after serving half or one-third of the sentence, if he has not served a prison sentence during the three years preceding the offense.
Source
Kristoffersen cross-Nordic two-year reoffending rates Finding
Kristoffersen's cross-Nordic relapse study finds that within two years, a fifth of all those released from prison or who started a community sanction in Norway incurred a new conviction served in the correctional services, while in the other Nordic countries the overall reoffending rate varied from 24% to 31%.
Sources
42 cited sources backing this research.
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Key Entities
Organizations, people, facilities, and other named entities referenced in this research.
Almenn hegningarlög
[legislation]
Alþingi
[organization]
Amend at UCSF
[organization]
Brå
[organization]
Brie Williams
[person]
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
[organization]
Council of Europe SPACE I
[organization]
Danish Prison and Probation Service
[organization]
Denmark
[organization]
Drexel University
[organization]
Fangelsismálastofnun
[organization]
Finland 2006 Prison Law
[legislation]
Finland Criminal Code (1889/39)
[legislation]
Finland prison system
[organization]
Friday Report
[program]
Gavin Newsom
[person]
George Little
[person]
Georgia Department of Corrections
[organization]
Georgia General Assembly
[organization]
HE 64/2024 vp
[legislation]
Helsinki Court of Appeal
[organization]
Iceland Act No. 15/2016 on the Execution of Sentences
[legislation]
Iceland Act on the Enforcement of Sentences
[legislation]
James River Correctional Center
[facility]
John Pratt
[person]
Kristoffersen
[person]
Lag (2006:45) om omvandling av fängelse på livstid
[legislation]
Little Scandinavia
[program]
North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
[organization]
North Dakota State Penitentiary
[facility]
Norway
[organization]
Norwegian Correctional Service
[organization]
Norwegian Parliamentary Ombudsman
[organization]
O.C.G.A. § 17-10-6.1
[legislation]
O.C.G.A. § 42-9-45
[legislation]
Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 15-1-16
[legislation]
Oregon Department of Corrections
[organization]
Oregon Resource Team
[program]
Oregon State Penitentiary
[facility]
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
[organization]
Retur study
[case]
Ríkisendurskoðun
[organization]
RISE
[organization]
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
[facility]
San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council
[organization]
SCI Chester
[facility]
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
[organization]
Statistics Norway
[organization]
straffegjennomføringsloven § 42
[legislation]
Sweden
[organization]
Swedish Prison and Probation Service
[organization]
Ulf Kristersson
[person]
University of Oslo
[organization]
Victor Shammas
[person]