A PROGRAMME* for ALL! Professional Development – Method – Contents – Tools

42 PROGRAMMES NORWEGIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE | HALDEN PRISON NORWEGIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE | HALDEN PRISON PROGRAMMES 43

A PROGRAMME* FOR ALL! Professional development – method – contents – tools

Addiction, anger, stress, behavioural issues or relationship challenges. Regardless of which areas of life or crimes characterise inmates at Halden Prison, there should be a programme in place for those who want to change.

The programmes are offered to inmates on an section. They work in the prison on a daily individual or group basis. At Halden Prison, it basis, but are free at certain points in the is most common to bring together groups of year to run courses and programmes. 5-8 participants. The exception to this are drug The programme's section cooperates with a conversations, which take place one-on-one. range of public and voluntary organisations on The initiative is meant to promote the Norwegian content work, such as informational and themed Correctional Service’s goal of enabling inmates to meetings and courses. The prison has collaborative make their own effort to counteract a pattern of agreements in place with the Norwegian Red Cross, criminal activity. The aim is to provide inmates the Church City Mission, the Retretten Foundation, with new knowledge and motivation to change, WayBack, the Family Welfare Office, the Conflict as well as stimulating the inmate’s resources and Resolution Board and Østfold Hospital Trust. skills in order to master a life without crime. “The programmes are an important part of the prison’s overall thinking in bringing about change in inmates. All new arrivals are offered the chance Cognitive Theory to participate in an assessment of their needs and The programmes are rooted in cognitive theory. resources in the care of the Norwegian Correctional This means they are based on the idea that Service. This assessment is part of the sentence what we think has an impact on what we do planning process, and involves trying to uncover and that problematic behaviour can be changed what needs an inmate has or which resources they through changing thought patterns. require in order to live a life without crime. On the The initiatives are led by prison officers and other basis of this assessment, we and the Norwegian personnel who have taken relevant training courses. Correctional Service can recommend participation “All participation is voluntary, and is based in one or more of the programmes,” says Elling. on participants themselves wanting change. It’s up to them to crack the code,” programme officer Elling Ellingsen points out. Local Adaptations Ellingsen is one of two full-time employees Many of the programmes and courses are in the programmes section, which coordinates mandatory for all Norwegian prisons and centrally the activities and initiatives, and provides prepared by the Norwegian Correctional Service. courses, programmes and supervision for the However, there are also opportunities for local other programme officers and instructors. adaptations, and several of the initiatives on offer are only available in Halden. “Naturally, we share our experiences A Team of Programme Instructors so that other prisons can benefit from There are around 30 programme officers what works well here,” he explains. and instructors attached to the programmes Programme activities are used to describe initiatives run by the Norwegian Correctional Service directed at inmates and those on remand in the form of teaching, skills training and structured conversations, in line with the Service’s ‘what-works’ principles, according to programme officers Elling Ellingsen and Ann Kristin Daae Leivann.

* The definition of «programmes» in Norway is different than in some other countries, and does not include work and education – but are limited to courses and dialouges based on cognitive theory. what-works 44 PROGRAMMES NORWEGIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE | HALDEN PRISON NORWEGIAN CORRECTIONAL SERVICE | HALDEN PRISON PROGRAMMES 45

Anger Management (the Brøset Model) Coping with Stress This is a programme to address violence A brief programme with a cognitive link. in close relationships. The programme is Programmes The programme is specifically aimed at offered to inmates who have experience of inmates who experience a lot of stress using violence due to extreme anger and during their spell in prison and who may aggression, and who want to gain more receive straightforward tools to help them control over themselves. This is also a in situations they may find stressful. cognitive programme that works extensively The programme is simple and addresses on raising awareness and knowledge about ROS relevant subjects related to stress. Inmates one’s own temper. Using group processes and contribute their own experiences with a focus comprehension exercises, the programme (Relationships and on stress from both the past and present. seeks to develop an understanding of how anger is created and thus become better at Cohabiting) Target group: Inmates (primarily new arrivals) stopping it before it erupts into violence. ROS is a cognitive-dynamic programme for Dad in Prison who are experiencing stress in prison or at those convicted of sexual offences and is based (Pif) various stages of serving their sentence. Target group: Inmates who feel on non-confrontational treatment in a group they have anger issues. setting where efforts are made to address Many inmates find it complicated and the participants’ risk factors for relapse. The challenging to take responsibility for their programme works actively on issues such families, and especially their children. Anger Management as anxiety, depression, guilt and shame. Everyday life requires us to be caring, It also helps to develop skills in building responsible, supporting and good role models (the KRUS Model) and maintaining good relationships. This for our children. Experience indicates that dads in prison for any number of reasons A programme for all inmates who have includes the way in which we think, being difficulty mastering their anger. Those Breaking Crime aware of how one’s own feelings and feelings feel that they are not up to the job. who may particularly benefit from such ‘Breaking Crime’ is a programme aimed at of others play a role, self-esteem and self- Many state that they do not have sufficient a programme are also welcome to apply. inmates who have developed a criminal perception, how fantasies affect us, our social skills or experience as fathers. At the The programme illustrates the causes and lifestyle over a longer period of time. The relationships and our capacity for intimacy. same time, there are many who have a conflict-filled relationship with the mother consequences of uncontrolled angry behaviour programme is cognitive and focuses on of their children and little experience and how it is possible to use alternative the opportunities for change amongst Target group: There is no requirement patterns of action in risk situations. participants through changing thought for individuals to have acknowledged of the responsibilities associated with starting a family and having children. patterns and attitudes towards criminality. their crime (sexual offence) in order to Target group: Participants who have been participate. All forms of sexual offence ‘Dad in prison’ is a cognitive programme convicted due to anger and aggression Target group: Those who are interested in are covered by the programme, and where the focus is on the role of the father, as issues, or who may be perceived to changing their criminal lifestyle and have programme leaders draw up groups based well as the child’s needs and how these can be taken care of while the father is in prison. face challenges in this respect. made a choice/decision in this regard. on a professional assessment taking into account risk factors and functional levels. Target group: Inmates who are (or are about to become) fathers. Inmates should be in regular contact with their child(ren), including through visits, and must want to NSAP work on their father/child relationship. (National Substance Abuse Program) This is a cognitive programme that is based on how we think and how this influences our actions. The programme’s starting point is that Parental Guidance substance abuse is learned and can therefore be unlearned in order to learn new behaviours (ICDP) that are more appropriate and provide a Parental guidance is a programme based on better quality of life in the long term. the sensitisation method. The programme is conducted as a group conversation, with Target group: Inmates who acknowledge a focus on the child and their needs. they have a substance abuse problem/face challenges in relation to the use of drugs. Target group: Inmates who are fathers and have regular contact with their child(ren), including through visits.

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Courses

Target group: Participants who want to learn how Finance Course to resolve conflicts without the use of violence in all ”Get a Grip!” forms. Participants must be prepared to contribute Get a Grip! is a course addressing the issue of actively through play as part of the course. Other everyday finances. By taking part, participants will also gain knowledge about issues such as Choosing Your Path – the how to manage debt and deal with creditors, etc. There are no participant requirements. Retretten Foundation Initiatives Choosing your path is an initiative offered by Stress-Less one of our partners, the Retretten Foundation. • Reflection Group ‘Think out!’ Retretten (The Retreat) is a voluntary, political Stress-Less is a course for inmates who are struggling and philosophically neutral foundation that • Gangster Yoga psychologically or finding it difficult to come aims to provide further assistance. out of their cells, participate in activities/work/ • Drug Conversations schooling or to be together with others, etc. Target group: Inmates who need help in motivating themselves Target group: Participants who are struggling and changing in connection with substance psychologically and who want to make a positive abuse and achieving a life free from crime. change to their everyday life so that they can get into better physical and mental shape. Children’s Sport Getting off Hash ”Get Course – Halden Upper Your Head out of the Secondary School/Østfold Clouds!” Idrettskrets The programme ‘Get Your Head out of the The activity leadership course in children’s sport Clouds!’ is a programme that addresses the issues is suitable for anyone who is going to direct with using cannabis and hash. The course is children in activities, whether this is at a sports aimed at younger people (16-25 years old). school, in a specific sport or in a general school/ after-school recreational programme. This is a Target group: Participants who want to find out more practical and useful course, and anyone who and explore the harmful impact of using cannabis. organises children’s exercise and sporting activities should have, as a minimum, taken this course.

Street Mediation – PS: Participants must have an approved criminal record certificate, cf. NIF’s Norwegian Red Cross regulations concerning children’s sport. Street Mediation is a course offered by the Norwegian Red Cross that is carried out in partnership with the prison. The course is aimed at younger people and focuses on the possibility of resolving conflicts at an early stage before they develop into something more serious.