Finland's prison system — revamped from its Russian-inspired harshness at the behest of academics who advocated greater leniency — is almost fanciful in its humane-ness. Most astonishing is that it actually works, reducing crime and recidivism while costing millions less than the strongholds it replaced.
Walls and fences have been removed in favor of unobtrusive camera surveillance and electronic alert networks. Instead of clanging iron gates, metal passageways and grim cells, there are linoleum-floored hallways lined with living spaces for inmates that resemble dormitory rooms more than lockups in a slammer…
At the "open" prisons, inmates and guards address each other by first name. Prison superintendents go by nonmilitary titles like manager or governor, and prisoners are sometimes referred to as "clients" or, if they are youths, "pupils."…Generous home leaves are available, particularly as the end of a sentence nears, and for midterm inmates, there are houses on the grounds, with privacy assured, where they can spend up to four days at a time with visiting spouses and children.
(Thanks, Gnat!)
