section. They work in the prison on a daily basis, but are free at certain points in the year to run courses and programmes.

The programme's section cooperates with a range of public and voluntary organisations on content work, such as informational and themed meetings and courses. The prison has collaborative agreements in place with the Norwegian Red Cross, the Church City Mission, the Retretten Foundation, WayBack, the Family Welfare Office, the Conflict Resolution Board and Østfold Hospital Trust.

“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 to participate in an assessment of their needs and resources in the care of the Norwegian Correctional Service. This assessment is part of the sentence planning process, and involves trying to uncover what needs an inmate has or which resources they require in order to live a life without crime. On the basis of this assessment, we and the Norwegian Correctional Service can recommend participation in one or more of the programmes,” says Elling.

Local AdaptationsMany of the programmes and courses are mandatory for all Norwegian prisons and centrally prepared by the Norwegian Correctional Service. However, there are also opportunities for local adaptations, and several of the initiatives on offer are only available in Halden.

“Naturally, we share our experiences so that other prisons can benefit from what works well here,” he explains.

The programmes are offered to inmates on an individual or group basis. At Halden Prison, it is most common to bring together groups of 5-8 participants. The exception to this are drug conversations, which take place one-on-one.

The initiative is meant to promote the Norwegian Correctional Service’s goal of enabling inmates to make their own effort to counteract a pattern of criminal activity. The aim is to provide inmates with new knowledge and motivation to change, as well as stimulating the inmate’s resources and skills in order to master a life without crime.

Cognitive TheoryThe programmes are rooted in cognitive theory. This means they are based on the idea that what we think has an impact on what we do and that problematic behaviour can be changed through changing thought patterns.

The initiatives are led by prison officers and other personnel who have taken relevant training courses.

“All participation is voluntary, and is based on participants themselves wanting change. It’s up to them to crack the code,” programme officer Elling Ellingsen points out.

Ellingsen is one of two full-time employees in the programmes section, which coordinates the activities and initiatives, and provides courses, programmes and supervision for the other programme officers and instructors.

A Team of Programme InstructorsThere are around 30 programme officers and instructors attached to the programmes

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.

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.

what-works* 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.

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(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 substance abuse is learned and can therefore be unlearned in order to learn new behaviours that are more appropriate and provide a better quality of life in the long term.

Target group: Inmates who acknowledge they have a substance abuse problem/face challenges in relation to the use of drugs.

ROS (Relationships and Cohabiting) ROS is a cognitive-dynamic programme for those convicted of sexual offences and is based on non-confrontational treatment in a group setting where efforts are made to address the participants’ risk factors for relapse. The programme works actively on issues such as anxiety, depression, guilt and shame. It also helps to develop skills in building and maintaining good relationships. This includes the way in which we think, being aware of how one’s own feelings and feelings of others play a role, self-esteem and self-perception, how fantasies affect us, our social relationships and our capacity for intimacy.

Target group: There is no requirement for individuals to have acknowledged their crime (sexual offence) in order to participate. All forms of sexual offence are covered by the programme, and programme leaders draw up groups based on a professional assessment taking into account risk factors and functional levels.

NSAP

P rogramm es

Dad in Prison (Pif)Many inmates find it complicated and challenging to take responsibility for their families, and especially their children. Everyday life requires us to be caring, responsible, supporting and good role models for our children. Experience indicates that dads in prison for any number of reasons feel that they are not up to the job. Many state that they do not have sufficient skills or experience as fathers. At the same time, there are many who have a conflict-filled relationship with the mother of their children and little experience of the responsibilities associated with starting a family and having children.‘Dad in prison’ is a cognitive programme where the focus is on the role of the father, as well as the child’s needs and how these can be taken care of while the father is in prison.

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 work on their father/child relationship.

Parental Guidance (ICDP)Parental guidance is a programme based on the sensitisation method. The programme is conducted as a group conversation, with a focus on the child and their needs.

Target group: Inmates who are fathers and have regular contact with their child(ren), including through visits.

Coping with StressA brief programme with a cognitive link. The programme is specifically aimed at inmates who experience a lot of stress during their spell in prison and who may receive straightforward tools to help them in situations they may find stressful. The programme is simple and addresses relevant subjects related to stress. Inmates contribute their own experiences with a focus on stress from both the past and present.

Target group: Inmates (primarily new arrivals) who are experiencing stress in prison or at various stages of serving their sentence.

Anger Management (the KRUS Model)A programme for all inmates who have difficulty mastering their anger. Those who may particularly benefit from such a programme are also welcome to apply. The programme illustrates the causes and consequences of uncontrolled angry behaviour and how it is possible to use alternative patterns of action in risk situations.

Target group: Participants who have been convicted due to anger and aggression issues, or who may be perceived to face challenges in this respect.

Anger Management (the Brøset Model)This is a programme to address violence in close relationships. The programme is offered to inmates who have experience of using violence due to extreme anger and aggression, and who want to gain more control over themselves. This is also a cognitive programme that works extensively on raising awareness and knowledge about one’s own temper. Using group processes and comprehension exercises, the programme seeks to develop an understanding of how anger is created and thus become better at stopping it before it erupts into violence.

Target group: Inmates who feel they have anger issues.

Breaking Crime‘Breaking Crime’ is a programme aimed at inmates who have developed a criminal lifestyle over a longer period of time. The programme is cognitive and focuses on the opportunities for change amongst participants through changing thought patterns and attitudes towards criminality.

Target group: Those who are interested in changing their criminal lifestyle and have made a choice/decision in this regard.

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Finance Course ”Get a Grip!”Get a Grip! is a course addressing the issue of everyday finances. By taking part, participants will also gain knowledge about issues such as how to manage debt and deal with creditors, etc. There are no participant requirements.

Stress-LessStress-Less is a course for inmates who are struggling psychologically or finding it difficult to come out of their cells, participate in activities/work/schooling or to be together with others, etc.

Target group: Participants who are struggling psychologically and who want to make a positive change to their everyday life so that they can get into better physical and mental shape.

Getting off Hash ”Get Your Head out of the Clouds!”The programme ‘Get Your Head out of the Clouds!’ is a programme that addresses the issues with using cannabis and hash. The course is aimed at younger people (16-25 years old).

Target group: Participants who want to find out more and explore the harmful impact of using cannabis.

Street Mediation – Norwegian Red CrossStreet 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.

Target group: Participants who want to learn how to resolve conflicts without the use of violence in all forms. Participants must be prepared to contribute actively through play as part of the course.

Choosing Your Path – the Retretten FoundationChoosing your path is an initiative offered by one of our partners, the Retretten Foundation. Retretten (The Retreat) is a voluntary, political and philosophically neutral foundation that aims to provide further assistance.

Target group: Inmates who need help in motivating themselves and changing in connection with substance abuse and achieving a life free from crime.

Children’s Sport Course – Halden Upper Secondary School/Østfold IdrettskretsThe activity leadership course in children’s sport is suitable for anyone who is going to direct children in activities, whether this is at a sports school, in a specific sport or in a general school/after-school recreational programme. This is a practical and useful course, and anyone who organises children’s exercise and sporting activities should have, as a minimum, taken this course.

PS: Participants must have an approved criminal record certificate, cf. NIF’s regulations concerning children’s sport.

Courses

Other Initiatives

• Reflection Group ‘Think out!’

• Gangster Yoga

• Drug Conversations

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