this human world: PRISON PROJECT: LITTLE SCANDINAVIA + Discussion
Termine
In 2018 the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections concludes that the methods used in correctional practises today are not giving the desired results. There are high numbers of incarcerations and recidivism, in connection with a stressed-out staff whose life expectancy is lower than amongst war veterans.
One possible solution is to try and change the focus, and move towards a more humane and rehabilitating setting inside the prison.
In the summer of 2019 a group of correctional officers and management travels around Scandinavia in order to be inspired to a new way of doing things. For two weeks the US correctional officers work side-by-side with Norwegian colleagues to observe and collect clues on how aspects of Scandinavian prison practices, elements and methods could be adapted back home.
In late 2019 construction starts in the Charlie Alpha unit at State Correctional Institute Chester. This unit was given the name "Little Scandinavia".
The documentary follows the whole process from the early start in 2018 until January 2023.
Discussion topic:
Beyond punishment: rethinking the role of prisons
What is prison really for, and how do we measure its success? Is it through public safety, personal transformation, or social accountability? What responsibilities do institutions, communities, and societies have in shaping justice systems? Can environments built on trust and relationships exist within societies that remain deeply punitive?
Drawing on international examples, the panel will explore what correctional systems can learn from rehabilitative approaches in other countries. It will also consider the role of storytelling and representation in changing how the public perceives people who have been incarcerated.
Discussants:
Tom Bolema spent 17 years in the California prison system, first at Lancaster and later at San Quentin, where he taught English and other subjects, launched veterans and criminals & gang members anonymous groups, coordinated re-entry and college programs, and produced distance-learning and training videos. A Detroit native and former Hollywood scenic artist who worked on Thriller, Married with Children, and other productions, he later earned his teaching credential and taught in Antelope Valley before joining corrections. Known for his steady presence and “street smarts,” he also supported San Quentin TV and the San Quentin News.
Marion Neunkirchner is a researcher and lecturer, currently writing her PhD. Her work focuses on the penal system and examines organisational changes related to datafication and technologization in prisons, like the development of measurement strategies and AI tools. Thereby, her perspective is shaped by her years of experience as a social worker working with offenders on probation and prisoners.
Moderator:
Gabi Göbl holds an MA in Sociology
and has extensive experience in bridging academia and civil society through socially engaged research, education, and social
innovation. She is a program advisor at Richtungswechsel, an Austrian NGO focusing on prison reform and coordinates the Science
for Society Hub at Central European University in Vienna.
LET'S TALK ABOUT PRISON
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