Sami Abdel-Salam, assistant professor of criminal justice at West Chester University, introduced his prison reform ideas at the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minnesota on June 6th, writes Candice Monhollan for Daily Local News.

Abdel-Salam, who has studied prison systems both here and in Norway, was joined by Deputy Warden Jan Strømnes of Halden Prison in Norway for the presentation titled “Breaking the Cycle: A More Humane Approach to Criminal Justice.”  

The two spoke on the first day of the three-day forum in front of around 50 people.

“Generally speaking, people were interested in trying to understand how or what specific features of the Norwegian system could be implemented in the U.S. and how it would look in comparison to what currently exists at Halden Prison,” commented Abdel-Salam.

He added that the majority of feedback showed interest in improving the correctional system and finding realistic ways to implement a system such as Halden’s to US prisons.

Halden Prison was the first prison built in Norway after the correctional system was restructured to focus on helping inmates prepare for life on the outside. Abdel-Salam got firsthand knowledge of conditions in Halden after he visited the prison as part of a class trip while teaching at the American College of Norway last year.

“Halden Prison is a much more rehabilitated environment,” said Abdel-Salam. “It has a lot more programs available within the facility and it’s a lot more about positive interaction between correctional staff and inmates. It’s certainly much more humane than the American prisons are designed to be.”

Read more about the presentation at Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of WCU here.