Bastøy Island, Norway, located in the Horten municipality about 75 km south of Oslo. The prison is on a 2. Once a prison colony for young boys, the facility is trying to become “the first ecological prison in the world”. Before the current prison, the island was occupied by a juvenile devil’s on horseback centre, Bastøy Boys’ Home.
The Norwegian government purchased the island in 1898 for 95,000 kroner, and the reformatory opened in 1900. 2010 film, King of Devil’s Island. The rebellion occurred on 20 May 1915, when between 30 and 40 boys rallied around four youths who had escaped and been recaptured. The group refused to work, armed themselves with farming tools and stones, cut the telephone lines and then burned down the barn with stolen matches and cigars.
The same barn had been burned down two years before. When instructors and guards failed to quell the riot, the military was called in. Over a hundred troops stormed the island. Also on scene were two seaplanes, two submarines, and the armored ship “Norway” from the naval base Karljohansvern in Horten. Several of the boys escaped into the forest but were later recaptured. The 1915 uprising did not end the school’s strict disciplinarian methods which continued until 1953 when the Ministry of Social Affairs took over operations. The school was shut down on 1 October 1970.
Bastøy Island, once infamous for its brutal reformatory, is now the site of the progressive Bastøy Prison, founded in 1982. Inmates must apply to serve their time on the island. Applications are denied if officials believe the prisoner poses a threat. In the 38 years the prison has been operating there has only been one attempted escape. The inmates know how easy they have it and fear the consequences of escaping. If caught escaping, the inmate is sent to one of the most strict prisons.
In 2014, the prison was awarded the 2014 Blanche Major Reconciliation Prize for “promoting human values and tolerance”. Bastøy Prison has been called one of the most liberal prisons. Unlike most prisons throughout the world, the guards and inmates get along. At night, only 5 guards are left on the grounds to monitor the one hundred plus inmates. Inmates can experience a rough transition. The prison colony was featured in the DVD extras for Michael Moore’s 2007 documentary Sicko. Break the law and live by a beach”.
Bastoy: the Norwegian prison that works”. Norway’s convicts take a number, line up for prison”. Norwegian Jails Break Concept Of Hard Time”. Norwegian Prison Prepares Inmates For The Outside World. Welcome to the world’s nicest prison.
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