Crime German and American prisons are a world apart
The Scandinavian, Dutch and Swiss prison systems are similar to the German one. Not every country in Europe is so progressive, the Germanic countries tend to be and achieve much better results. These countries' emphasis on humane treatment, education, vocational training, and social support for prisoners significantly contributes to their success in reintegrating former inmates into society and maintaining low recidivism rates.
I couldn't find good videos about the Dutch and Swiss prison systems but here is what ChatGPT says about them.
The Dutch prison system is also regarded as one of the more progressive systems globally, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration. Key aspects of the Dutch approach include:
1. **Humane Treatment**: Dutch prisons prioritize treating inmates with dignity and respect. The physical conditions of the prisons are designed to be as normal as possible, creating a more humane environment.
2. **Rehabilitation Programs**: The Netherlands offers extensive rehabilitation programs, including educational courses, vocational training, and psychological counseling. These programs aim to equip prisoners with skills and support for successful reintegration into society.
3. **Open Prisons**: The Dutch system employs open prisons for low-risk offenders, where inmates have more freedom, can work outside the prison, and maintain closer contact with their families. This approach helps prisoners adjust gradually to normal life.
4. **Community Service and Alternative Sentences**: The Dutch system often uses community service and alternative sentences for non-violent offenders, reducing the prison population and providing a more constructive form of punishment.
5. **Focus on Reintegration**: There is a strong emphasis on preparing inmates for life after release. The Dutch system provides support in finding housing, employment, and social services, which are crucial for reducing recidivism.
6. **Low Incarceration Rate**: The Netherlands has one of the lowest incarceration rates in Europe. This is partly due to a preference for alternative sentencing and a focus on rehabilitation over punishment.
The combination of these factors contributes to the Netherlands' effective prison system, which successfully reintegrates many former prisoners into society and maintains a relatively low recidivism rate.
The Swiss prison system is also known for its progressive approach, focusing on rehabilitation, reintegration, and humane treatment. Here are some key features of the Swiss system:
1. **Rehabilitation Focus**: The Swiss system emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. Inmates have access to various educational and vocational training programs designed to equip them with skills needed for successful reintegration into society.
2. **Humane Conditions**: Swiss prisons are known for maintaining humane conditions, with an emphasis on respecting the dignity of inmates. The facilities are generally well-maintained, and efforts are made to create a positive environment conducive to rehabilitation.
3. **Individualized Treatment Plans**: Each prisoner typically receives an individualized treatment plan that includes psychological support, educational opportunities, and vocational training tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
4. **Open Prisons and Transitional Programs**: Switzerland uses open prisons for certain categories of inmates, allowing them to work or study outside the prison during the day and return in the evening. Transitional programs help prisoners gradually adjust to life outside, reducing the shock of release.
5. **Alternatives to Incarceration**: The Swiss legal system often opts for alternatives to incarceration, such as community service, probation, and electronic monitoring, particularly for non-violent offenders. This reduces the prison population and provides more constructive forms of punishment.
6. **Support Systems**: Upon release, former inmates receive support in finding housing, employment, and accessing social services. This holistic approach helps address the challenges that might lead to reoffending.
7. **Low Recidivism Rate**: Switzerland has a relatively low recidivism rate compared to many other countries. This is attributed to the comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration strategies employed within the prison system.
Overall, the Swiss prison system's focus on humane treatment, individualized rehabilitation plans, and support for reintegration into society contributes to its effectiveness in reducing recidivism and helping former inmates reintegrate successfully.
All these countries have recidivism rates between 20 and 35%. The Norwegian system is the most progressive and has the lowest recidivism rate (20%). These rates are significantly lower than those in many other countries, particularly those with more punitive prison systems, such as the United States, where the recidivism rate much higher. According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics, an estimated 68% of released prisoners were re-arrested within 3 years, 79% within 6 years, and 83% within 9 years. This shows that the American system is not working at all.
I couldn't find good videos about the Dutch and Swiss prison systems but here is what ChatGPT says about them.
The Dutch prison system is also regarded as one of the more progressive systems globally, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration. Key aspects of the Dutch approach include:
1. **Humane Treatment**: Dutch prisons prioritize treating inmates with dignity and respect. The physical conditions of the prisons are designed to be as normal as possible, creating a more humane environment.
2. **Rehabilitation Programs**: The Netherlands offers extensive rehabilitation programs, including educational courses, vocational training, and psychological counseling. These programs aim to equip prisoners with skills and support for successful reintegration into society.
3. **Open Prisons**: The Dutch system employs open prisons for low-risk offenders, where inmates have more freedom, can work outside the prison, and maintain closer contact with their families. This approach helps prisoners adjust gradually to normal life.
4. **Community Service and Alternative Sentences**: The Dutch system often uses community service and alternative sentences for non-violent offenders, reducing the prison population and providing a more constructive form of punishment.
5. **Focus on Reintegration**: There is a strong emphasis on preparing inmates for life after release. The Dutch system provides support in finding housing, employment, and social services, which are crucial for reducing recidivism.
6. **Low Incarceration Rate**: The Netherlands has one of the lowest incarceration rates in Europe. This is partly due to a preference for alternative sentencing and a focus on rehabilitation over punishment.
The combination of these factors contributes to the Netherlands' effective prison system, which successfully reintegrates many former prisoners into society and maintains a relatively low recidivism rate.
The Swiss prison system is also known for its progressive approach, focusing on rehabilitation, reintegration, and humane treatment. Here are some key features of the Swiss system:
1. **Rehabilitation Focus**: The Swiss system emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. Inmates have access to various educational and vocational training programs designed to equip them with skills needed for successful reintegration into society.
2. **Humane Conditions**: Swiss prisons are known for maintaining humane conditions, with an emphasis on respecting the dignity of inmates. The facilities are generally well-maintained, and efforts are made to create a positive environment conducive to rehabilitation.
3. **Individualized Treatment Plans**: Each prisoner typically receives an individualized treatment plan that includes psychological support, educational opportunities, and vocational training tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
4. **Open Prisons and Transitional Programs**: Switzerland uses open prisons for certain categories of inmates, allowing them to work or study outside the prison during the day and return in the evening. Transitional programs help prisoners gradually adjust to life outside, reducing the shock of release.
5. **Alternatives to Incarceration**: The Swiss legal system often opts for alternatives to incarceration, such as community service, probation, and electronic monitoring, particularly for non-violent offenders. This reduces the prison population and provides more constructive forms of punishment.
6. **Support Systems**: Upon release, former inmates receive support in finding housing, employment, and accessing social services. This holistic approach helps address the challenges that might lead to reoffending.
7. **Low Recidivism Rate**: Switzerland has a relatively low recidivism rate compared to many other countries. This is attributed to the comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration strategies employed within the prison system.
Overall, the Swiss prison system's focus on humane treatment, individualized rehabilitation plans, and support for reintegration into society contributes to its effectiveness in reducing recidivism and helping former inmates reintegrate successfully.
All these countries have recidivism rates between 20 and 35%. The Norwegian system is the most progressive and has the lowest recidivism rate (20%). These rates are significantly lower than those in many other countries, particularly those with more punitive prison systems, such as the United States, where the recidivism rate much higher. According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics, an estimated 68% of released prisoners were re-arrested within 3 years, 79% within 6 years, and 83% within 9 years. This shows that the American system is not working at all.
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I checked the recidivism rates by country. Here is what I found for the reconviction rates 3 years after release from prison. Note that the re-arrest rate is higher than the reconviction rate.
- Norway : 20%
- Portugal : 25% (after 5 years)
- Denmark : 27%
- Switzerland : 28%
- Spain : 30%
- Germany : 35%
- Finland : 36%
- United Kingdom : 45%
- France : 45% (59% after 5 years)
- United States : 48% (55% after 5 years)
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Nearly a third of all shoplifting arrests in New York City last year involved just 327 people, the police said. Collectively, they were arrested and rearrested more than 6,000 times, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said. Some engage in shoplifting as a trade, while others are driven by addiction or mental illness; the police did not identify the 327 people in the analysis.
A Tiny Number of Shoplifters Commit Thousands of New York City Thefts (Published 2023)
Nearly a third of all shoplifting arrests in the city last year involved just 327 people, the police said. Businesses say they have little defense.www.nytimes.com
It is insane that such a small amount of people can cause so much crime.