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A Comparison of the American and Scandinavian Criminal Justice Systems
Waller, Alyssa
Waller, Alyssa
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2016
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2016-12-18
Abstract
America and the Scandinavian countries provide an interesting comparison when examining their criminal justice systems. America has one of the most punitive criminal justice systems amongst other developed Western nations, while Scandinavia has some of the lowest incarceration numbers. Societal aspects such as the Scandinavian countries being strong welfare states with a huge emphasis on human rights affects how these countries treat their criminals. America relies on prison for the vast majority of punishments while Scandinavia does not. Here, the focus is on alternative and community punishments. Prison conditions are drastically different between America and Scandinavia. Norway is home to the most humane prison in the world, Halden Prison. Drug treatment is much more common in Scandinavia than it is in America. American drug abusers are often locked up. Denmark has started a new treatment known as "fix rooms." At these facilities, addicts can inject prescribed, high quality heroin in the presence of medical staff. After an in-depth and comprehensive look at these two different societies and criminal justice systems, it is clear America has the opportunity to learn from the Scandinavian countries in an effort to become less punitive and more rehabilitative.
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Criminology and Criminal Justice