Halden Prison in Norway is not your typical correctional facility. The focus here is on recovery and normalcy. It is an approach that leads to a desired outcome; prisoners thrive in harmony when lived in an environment that does not compromise their humanity. The facility’s deputy director, Jan Stromnes, believes other prisons can learn and benefit. Breaking the Cycle follows him on his journey to push for much-needed reform in prisons across the United States.
Stroms and his colleagues are determined to see each prisoner as someone who has committed a crime, rather than an unsympathetic one-time criminal who interacts with inmates in auto repair shops and rec rooms. Their relationship is based on open communication, mutual understanding and respect. These cooperative exchanges encourage well-behaved populations, minimize inmate infractions, and thrive throughout incarceration.
When Stroms walked through the doors of the notorious Attica Correctional Facility in Wyoming County, New York, it was just one of those seemingly revolutionary ideas. Behind those walls and in the courtyard outside, a strong atmosphere of fear governed the every move of every prisoner. Safety and self-preservation are paramount at the expense of everything else. This reflects attitudes towards incarceration in much of the country.
Stroms sat down with a select group of Attica inmates and asked them to come up with their ideal prison environment. Most of them long for an environment that feels more like a campus; education and training programs can give them a sense of purpose and more attractive opportunities after release.
Some U.S. prisons — such as North Dakota State Prison — are taking the initiative and trying to build a more productive recovery experience. Officials there ask the same question that the film asks: Are we empowering those who will eventually be able to re-enter society?
The issue of prison reform is critical but beset by chaotic bureaucracy, budget constraints and social stigma. Breaking the cycle involves exploring new ideas and meaningful change.
Directed by: Tomas Lindh, John Stark
