{quote} I saw a documentary on this subject about a year ago. I like the idea ... but I'd probably like it even more if I was a criminal.I think the low "recidivism rate" in Norway might have a lot to do with them setting up ex-cons with good jobs when they leave prison. In the states, they'd have a hard time finding decent jobs again and would be tempted to go back to their old ways. Some might even prefer a cushy prison life, over living on the streets or enduring a dead end job. But good for Norway. I'm glad it's working for them.
I agree, the US system and their approach to non violent offenders needs some reform. The whole idea if someone commits a felony and when they have served their time in prison and reintroduced to society that finding gainful respectable employment is very difficult for them. Society in America Ostracizes them as outcasts and thus gives them no alternatives but to return to the life of crime again. America has some of the highest rates of incarcerations in the world, and not only does the prison and sentencing systems needs to reform, but so too does the justice system. Too many times over zealous prosecutors only concerned about their track records as a means of keeping score needlessly prosecute offenders with deceptive practices in order to get a guilty plea. It really is corrupt in many instances. The Netflix Documentary "Making a Murderer" really exposes this aspect in great detail.
