Abstract
Analytically, one could argue that the literature on Scandinavian or Nordic exceptionalism has been characterised by a logic of juxtaposition where specific prisons in specific countries have been used as stand-ins for two ideal types: (1) Punitive penal state prisons, with high prison population rates and punitive and coercive regimes that lack any proper focus on rehabilitation; (2) Egalitarian welfare state prisons, where punishment is humane, rehabilitative, supportive, inclusive and future-oriented, and where imprisonment is an intervention which is ultimately designed to empower prisoners to increase their chances of returning to society and living a good life post release.
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Smith, P.S., Ugelvik, T. (2017). Punishment and Welfare in Scandinavia. In: Scharff Smith, P., Ugelvik, T. (eds) Scandinavian Penal History, Culture and Prison Practice. Palgrave Studies in Prisons and Penology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58529-5_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58529-5_21
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