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  3. Take A Tour Of Norway's 'Prison Utopia' Where Inmates Have Access To A Recording Studio

Take A Tour Of Norway's 'Prison Utopia' Where Inmates Have Access To A Recording Studio

At Halden, it's sometimes hard to tell the inmates and guards apart.

Take A Tour Of Norway's 'Prison Utopia' Where Inmates Have Access To A Recording Studio

Uniforms aren't required.

Uniforms aren

And the guards and prisoners are friendly with each other.

And the guards and prisoners are friendly with each other.

Here, one guard helps an inmate choose a DVD.

Here, one guard helps an inmate choose a DVD.

This building is "Unit C," where 84 inmates live. The windows don't have bars because the prison wants inmates to have a good view of nature.

This building is "Unit C," where 84 inmates live. The windows don

Source: "The Norden"

The halls look more like a college dormitory than a prison.

The halls look more like a college dormitory than a prison.

The cells themselves are pretty spacious.

The cells themselves are pretty spacious.

The decor even looks like a bedroom from an IKEA catalogue.

The decor even looks like a bedroom from an IKEA catalogue.

Ten inmates share this common area.

Ten inmates share this common area.

Source: "The Norden"

It has an Xbox.

It has an Xbox.

Source: "The Norden"

Inmates sometimes play darts while others cook in the well-equipped kitchen.

Inmates sometimes play darts while others cook in the well-equipped kitchen.

This is Jack. Before he went to prison, he was in school to become a chef and now uses the kitchen to practice. "I feel good inside here," he says. "I feel that I can become a better person."

This is Jack. Before he went to prison, he was in school to become a chef and now uses the kitchen to practice. "I feel good inside here," he says. "I feel that I can become a better person."

Surprisingly, inmates can use sharp utensils without supervision.

Surprisingly, inmates can use sharp utensils without supervision.

Source: "The Norden"

And porcelain plates.

And porcelain plates.

Source: "The Norden"

When American prison warden James Conway visited Halden, he was shocked at the inmates' access to potential weapons. The metal top of this hanger could easily be fashioned into an "ice-pick-type weapon," he said.

When American prison warden James Conway visited Halden, he was shocked at the inmates

Source: "The Norden"

Not to mention the heavy, sharp tools out in the open.

Not to mention the heavy, sharp tools out in the open.

Source: "The Norden"

Inmates have jobs like woodworking at the prison that require these tools.

Inmates have jobs like woodworking at the prison that require these tools.

There's also an assembly workshop.

There

And retail or customer service positions.

And retail or customer service positions.

The most controversial skill-building additive is a recording studio.

The most controversial skill-building additive is a recording studio.

Source: "The Norden"

"I'm having a hard time believing that I'm in a prison," Conway said when he came across the studio.

"I

Source: "The Norden"

Inmates can learn to play instruments, sing, and work with audio equipment. Three have even appeared on Norway's version of "American Idol."

Inmates can learn to play instruments, sing, and work with audio equipment. Three have even appeared on Norway

A gym helps the inmates stay active indoors.

A gym helps the inmates stay active indoors.

And inmates get to experience all four seasons on the grounds. In nice weather, they can play sports on fields outside.

And inmates get to experience all four seasons on the grounds. In nice weather, they can play sports on fields outside.

The grounds are beautiful. The prison's architect suggested keeping "as much of the nature as possible," deputy head of the prison Jan Stromnes explained. That way, inmates could serve under normal conditions — one of the key principles in the Norwegian prison system.

The grounds are beautiful. The prison

Source: "The Norden"

Halden also invested in art and architecture, reportedly spending $1 million on paintings, photographs, and light installations to create a "warm and cozy" environment.

Halden also invested in art and architecture, reportedly spending $1 million on paintings, photographs, and light installations to create a "warm and cozy" environment.

Inmates don't have all the fun. Guards get around the spacious premises on scooters.

Inmates don

The relationship with some inmates, it's kind of like a normal friendship," one guard explains. "Last year, we had one inmate who was crying when he was leaving.

The relationship with some inmates, it

Now that you've seen what an ideal prison looks like ...

Now that you

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