Empowering change:
Transforming an American prison unit with
Scandinavian-inspired policies
Who we are
The Scandinavian Prison Project is an international, interdisciplinary research project focused on documenting the development, implementation and impact of a groundbreaking prison reform initiative led by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in ongoing collaboration with the correctional services in Sweden (Kriminalvården) and Norway (Kriminalomsorgen). The academic team is led by researchers from Drexel University and the University of Oslo who draw on comparative criminology and rigorous evaluation approaches to understand the impact of the project on both staff and residents. The ultimate goal is to advance the field of corrections through evidence-based approaches to incarceration, focusing on humanity and dignity for those who live and work in prisons.
Phase 1: 2018-2022
Little Scandinavia Project
During the first phase of the project (2018-2022), the team from Pennsylvania accomplished several significant goals. Firstly, correctional officers and leaders actively took part in international exchanges to Norway, Sweden and Denmark where they visited and worked in local prison environments.
Starting, after the first exchange, they undertook development efforts that culminated in the establishment of a unique housing unit known as Little Scandinavia (LS) in May 2022. This unit has gone through substantial physical changes, and features single cells, a full commercial kitchen, a grocery program, a designated green space, and an interior design meant to encourage interaction and collaboration.
Most importantly, the staff-to-resident ratio has been increased, and all officers have received additional training that enables them to engage more actively in residents’ rehabilitation and reentry.
The research endeavors in Phase 1 focused on collecting data on international collaboration, knowledge transfer and reform development. These data have formed the foundation for policy-oriented publications and presentations designed to inform the field on key issues, including the importance of measuring and accounting for prison climate, staff well-being, the roles and responsibilities of correctional officers, and opportunities and barriers to evidence-based prison reform in the U.S.
Phase 2: 2022-2025
What’s next?
During the second, operational (and ongoing) phase of the project (2022-2025), the team from Pennsylvania is focused on the continued development and adaptations of the unit’s policies and protocols, supporting the residents and staff from the LS community, and continuing to engage with their Scandinavian peers.
Working in parallel, the research team collects data from numerous sources to understand the impact of the housing unit on both staff and residents. This includes both in-prison outcomes such as negative behaviors and measurable changes in the prison climate, and longer-range outcomes related to community reintegration and recidivism. The research team has delivered multiple presentations at both academic and practitioner conferences in Europe and the US, and media coverage of the project has been featured in outlets such as the Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Guardian. The Swedish national public broadcaster (SVT) has also produced an internationally available documentary about the project called Prison Project (“Fängelseexperimentet”): Little Scandinavia.
Connect with the project
Public engagement is invaluable in helping bring an awareness of Scandinavian principles of integrity, rehabilitation, and hope to the American correctional system. Together, we can reshape the narrative around incarceration, giving individuals the chance to rebuild their lives, contribute meaningfully, and realize their full potential while also supporting people who work in prison.