“The Uniform’s in the Way”: Navigating the Tension Between Security and Therapeutic Roles in a Rehabilitation-Focused Prison in Norway

• Author: Ashley Kilmer,Sami Abdel-Salam,Ian A. Silver
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00938548221143536
• Published date: 01 April 2023
• Date: 01 April 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR, 2023, Vol. 50, No. 4, April 2023, 521 –540.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548221143536

Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions

© 2023 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology

521

“THE UNIFORM’S IN THE WAY”

Navigating the Tension Between Security and

Therapeutic Roles in a Rehabilitation-Focused

Prison in Norway

ASHLEY KILMER

Towson University

SAMI ABDEL-SALAM

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

IAN A. SILVER

RTI International University of Cincinnati, Corrections Institute

The Norwegian Correctional Service ascribes to both a humane and rehabilitative approach to incarceration which includes

the use of dynamic security practices, emphasizing relationship-building and communication between officers and incarcer-

ated individuals. In addition, officers are expected to actively participate in the rehabilitative process. Despite Norway’s low

rates of prison-based violence, there remain questions about officers’ ability to implement dynamic security and contribute

to therapeutic goals. The current study explores perspectives about dynamic security and officer relationships using a ques-

tionnaire (n = 81) and semi-structured interview (n = 47) data from individuals incarcerated at Halden Prison in Norway.

Findings indicate that officers have generally attained authoritative legitimacy through dynamic security, but their participa-

tion in the rehabilitative process is met with resistance stemming from prison culture expectations of officers’ role in enacting

State punishment. Results from this study provide meaningful insights into the role of dynamic security implementation and

the contributions of correctional officers to the rehabilitative process.

Keywords: corrections; rehabilitation; correctional officers; qualitative analysis; prisoners; prison

There is an increasing interest within correctional settings to encourage meaningful

interactions between officers and incarcerated individuals as a method to reduce con-

flict and promote security. Often referred to as “dynamic security,” this process relies on

relationship-building and open communication along with prioritizing rehabilitative goals.

AUTHORS’ NOTE: Special thanks to the Norwegian Correctional Service for their support in recruitment for

this study. We also want to thank editor Mark Olver and the three anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful and

constructive comments which helped us significantly strengthen our article. Correspondence concerning this

article should be addressed to Ashley Kilmer, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice,

Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252; e-mail: akilmer@towson.edu.

1143536CJBXXX10.1177/00938548221143536Criminal Justice and BehaviorKilmer et al. / Halden Prison and Dynamic Security

research-article2023

522 CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BEHAVIOR

Perhaps the most well-known implementation of dynamic security is within the Norwegian

Correctional Service (NCS). Halden prison, for example, has been the subject of numerous

news stories, studies, and documentaries, inspiring correctional departments internationally

to adapt dynamic security to their own penal institutions. The media has focused on the

architectural design of this prison along with the emphasis on the importance of building

relationships between correctional officers and those incarcerated to facilitate change and

strengthen security within this facility.

Research suggests incarcerated individuals are more likely to respond positively when

they feel correctional staff understand their experiences (Beijersbergen et al., 2015). Officers

who engage in ongoing, meaningful communication, show respect toward those they super-

vise, and practice fair and flexible use of their authority are more likely to be perceived as

legitimate sources of authority within the prison. Demonstrating genuine concern for the

well-being of those incarcerated is instrumental in developing a rapport with them, gaining

their trust, and diffusing potential conflicts (Crewe & Liebling, 2015).

While relationship building and communication are generally considered central to

dynamic security, there are no established standards for a dynamic security model of cor-

rectional supervision. This can potentially result in correctional departments having

dynamic security training and practices that vary greatly from one another. In addition,

research on dynamic security and its impact on staff and incarcerated individuals’ behav-

ior and well-being has often been atheoretical. As interest in dynamic security continues

to grow, a theoretical understanding of how dynamic security works and what specific

aspects of officer-incarcerated interactions are most effective at producing positive

change becomes increasingly important.

This article begins with a review of the existing literature on dynamic security and how

this model of correctional supervision differs from static security, including an overview of

the NCS use of dynamic security to promote rehabilitation goals. We also review existing

literature on practices related to dynamic security and how this approach contributes to the

legitimacy of officers. We then share findings from qualitative interviews of incarcerated

men at Halden Prison in Norway on communication and interactions with officers. These

findings provide much-needed insight into how dynamic security practices are perceived by

those directly impacted: incarcerated individuals. Going beyond identifying “what works”

within Norway’s dynamic security model, we discuss the themes from the interviews within

a theoretical context, drawing on the work of Liebling and Crewe to improve understanding

of why certain aspects of dynamic security are effective at enhancing safety and compliance

within the penal environment. Finally, we discuss the barriers to officer participation in the

rehabilitative process within the context of dynamic security.

Given the findings of this study, a focus is placed on how the dynamic security model can

be altered to potentially enhance rapport and positive interactions between officers and

incarcerated populations. In addition to the recommendations for the dynamic security

model, we call for more qualitative and quantitative research evaluating the mechanisms

promoting rehabilitation within the dynamic security model. This includes additional

research on the process used to build rapport and the effects of the dynamic security model

on misconduct, reentry preparedness, and the lives of correctional populations after con-

finement. We conclude with a brief discussion of the challenges faced by correctional

departments in other nations seeking to implement dynamic security.