Prison Persuasive Essay

Statement of Intention

I am writing an opinionated column piece about the prison system and the publics culture towards prisoners. I am writing to persuade the reader/s that there needs to be culture shift in the way prisoners are viewed and treated. I will do this by using persuasive language, examples/facts and emotive language.

Twenty three hours in a cell, cramped living spaces, often treated unjustly and yet everyone wonders why re-offending rates all around the world are increasing each year, along with the dangerous criminals comfortably roaming the streets. In New Zealand alone we have over 10,000 prisoners out of 4.4 million people. In Amercia they have a staggering 2,193,798 prisoners through out all the states.

Prisoners and

Norway has a revolutionary way of dealing with prisoners and the way they run their prisons. I wonder if the U.S.A needs to take a page out of Norwys book?

Norway has a culture that believes in working along side prisoners to change their actions and decisions in the real world. Often Norwegian prisons are viewed as “too easy” and a “luxury”. But in actual fact – the way they build up character values of prisoners, continue to treat them as human beings and push them to find a passion in prison that when realeased they can pursue is a huge positive. Norway and New Zealand have very similar population yet New Zealand has over twice as many prisoners, what does that say about our prison system?

The prison in Norway best known for its different approach to the treatment of prisoners is the Halden Prison. In Halden the atmosphere is hugely different to other prison’s. It is calm and organised. The prisoners work together in the kitchen, roam the forest life outdoors, exercise in the gym, work with music in a studio and relax in open plan living

Many people argue that prisoners have it too easy and don’t deserve to live in such a pleasant place if you’re a murderer. But if you have had an upbringing disadvantaged by poverty, domestic violence, drugs and many other factors, don’t you think that the prisoners should get a shot at the opportunities we all received when we were younger?

Instead of choosing to take the “easy” option and shove people in prison, shouldn’t the goal be to help them become an asset to society rather a burden? Prisoners with mental health and learning disabilities should get the support they need to contribute to society instead of being labelled “crazy” or “stupid”.

The prisoners in Norway still have a loss of rights – they don’t have the freedom to see their friends or family whenever they please, they have a curfrew, and they obviously can’t leave the grounds, among many other