Halden prison – Norway
Surrounded by scenic views, with outdoor activities and natural vegetation, it’s not hard to see why Halden maximum security prison in Norway is considered one of the best in the world. Prisoners are encouraged to embrace the beautiful setting in order to better rehabilitate. With each prisoner given their own luxurious private living quarters, Halden Prison gives off more of a gated community vibe.
Justice Center Leoben – Austria
With room for only 205 prisoners, Justice Center Leoben in Austria is a highly requested destination for convicts. Private bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens and even balconies are on offer here. Prisoner wellbeing is the focus, with one inscription on the prison perimeter reading “All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”
JVA Fuhlsbuettel – Germany
Looking more like a boarding school, JVA Fuhlsbuettel located in Hambug, Germany was once used as a labor camp in WWII. Today, inmates enjoy the luxury of private living quarters with a strong emphasis on education. Having access to a conference room and recreation areas, the idea here is that prisoners will discover new interests for when they are released.
Aranjuez prison – Spain
Known as Spain’s 5 star family prison, Aranjuez, located just south of Madrid, boasts a truly unique feature. It allows children of female convicts to live with them in the prison up to the age of 3. The children are then required to live with family members or enter the social services system.
HMP Addiewell – Scotland
HMP Addiewell is a dedicated learning prison located between the major Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. This means that inmates are not only judged on their behavior behind bars, but also their willingness to be educated. Prisoners must complete a 40 hour skill-building work week, thus better preparing them for the outside world.
Cebu prison – Philippines
Though not as luxurious as some, Cebu prison located in the Philippines treats its prisoners to an all together different method of rehabilitation. Inmates are encouraged to be entertaining and creative through collaborative singing and dancing. The inmates even perform routines for the public and have been known to sign autographs for appreciative fans.
Nuuk prison – Greenland
Nuuk prison in Greenland is Greenland’s first and only prison. Opened in 2019, this Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Friis & Moltke designed prison boasts panoramic views over the snowy vistas of Greenland. Opposed by locals, this controversial prison was constructed after Greenland decided to finally house its own prisoners after previously housing them 4000 km away in Denmark.
Bastoy prison – Norway
Encompassing the entire island of Bastoy in Norway, this prison sees inmates living in individual cottages on a prison farm and being allowed to develop into their own community. With horse-back riding, skiing, tennis and even fishing available, the success of this prison system saw reoffending rates drop to 16% compared to Europe’s 70%.
Sollentuna prison – Sweden
One of the most eco-friendly prisons is Sollentuna prison located in Sweden. With a grass garden roof and natural ventilation system, the prisoners here have it good. With access to a central living area with widescreen TVs, inmates are allowed to cook their own meals in a fully-equipped modern kitchen as well as having personal access to tablet devices.
Federal Prison Camp Alderson – West Virginia
Nestled in the foothills of the Back Allegheny mountains of West Virginia, Federal Prison Camp Alderson is a female only prison that offers some luxury benefits to inmates. It houses swimming pools, tennis courts and multiple stages to host talent shows. This prison was the home of legendary TV cook Martha Stewart during her incarceration in 2004.
