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Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney

American vs. Scandinavian Prisons

If you’ve been convicted of a crime and sentenced to a term in prison, your quality of life is going to diminish drastically. That’s just how it is in the United States. This isn’t some kind of natural law, but the result of the American prison system, which stands in stark contrast to more reform-minded Scandinavian prisons.

What Is Prison Like in Scandinavian Countries?

American prisons are notorious for being overpopulated and for having harsh living conditions. Few people view American prisons as places where people go to be reformed; instead, they are seen as places to go to serve out a punishment. American prisons are notorious for their gangs, their strict rules and their violence. When prisoners receive amenities, such as televisions or fitness rooms, many Americans grumble that we’re being too kind.

But what if it’s not about kindness versus cruelty? If we stop thinking in terms of what convicts deserve, we can start thinking in terms of what makes society safer. As a consequence, we begin to treat prisoners with more dignity and humanity.

In Scandinavian countries, like Denmark and Norway, prisons are much different. There are still high security prisons, much like our own, for offenders who do not qualify for more progressive facilities. But those progressive facilities are worth looking at.

The Washington Post investigated Danish prisons for six weeks. They did not find a fantastic utopia free of problems, but they did find better conditions that led either to similar outcomes or to better outcomes.

According to the report, prisoners practice more independence. They wear their own clothes, cook their own meals (yes, with knives), and enjoy private visits. There is very little security preventing prisoners from escaping. There are no barbed-wire fences and no gun towers. In both the United States and Denmark, the rate of prisoner death is less than 1%, so these policies do not appear to lead to more murders or suicides. They do lead to lower recidivism. Despite the more lax security, escape is rare; only one prisoner escaped in 2014.

At Bastoy Prison in Norway, prisoners live and work as they would upon their release. They are admitted by application after serving part of their sentence elsewhere. Norway enjoys the lowest recidivism rate in Europe.

What America Can Learn from Norway and Denmark

The idea behind punishing prisoners is that it will deter other people from committing crimes in the first place. I would argue that the loss of liberty is a significant deterrant, and that punishments like solitary confinement or stripping away basic amenities are overkill. This is not because I have a soft spot for criminals. Each defendant I work with is different, and my job is to defend them to the best of my ability regardless of how I may personally feel, and regardless of their innocence or guilt. When you work in the criminal justice system, you have to set aside personal feelings, and the same can be said for implementing effective reform. Set aside personal feelings, whether you lean toward softness or harshness, and examine the evidence.

Slowly, the United States is beginning to implement more sensible policies; for example, treating low-level drug offenders as people with a medical need instead of as criminals. Yet we’re still embattled, combining our Puritan roots with Wild West vigilante justice and, eventually, research-based prevention and rehabilitation. It will take continuous research and sustained political will to implement widespread changes that truly make a difference.

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DUIDUI DrugsAggravated AssaultTheftResist ArrestDomestic ViolenceMurder
Accusation:
Second in time DUI
Case Result:
Charge reduced with no jail

Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.

Accusation:
DUI Drugs (Marijuana)
Case Result:
Case Dismissed

A black man was pulled over by Salt River Police Department while visiting from out of town. Despite showing no signs of impairment, the officers arrested him and charged him with DUI Drugs. We investigated the case heavily and interviewed every officer involved. Ultimately, a motion to suppress was filed and granted after an evidentiary hearing before a Judge.

Accusation:
Aggravated Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon
Case Result:
Reduced to a misdemeanor

A man was charged with attacking a family with a knife. After reviewing the evidence, it was determined that the instrument used was not a knife at all. The Grand Jury had been misled, so we filed a motion challenging the grand jury presentation. The prosecutor, confronted with the truth, agreed to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor with no jail time.

Actuation:
Second in time DUI
Case Result:
Charge reduced with no jail

Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used      to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.

Accusation:
Theft of Means of Transportation
Case Result:
Not Guilty after jury trial

A man was out on a walk and was stopped by police because he was in the area of an attempted vehicle theft. The man maintained his innocence, but the owner of the truck identified him as the man he saw attempt to steal it. We worked tirelessly to prepare a defense and get the prosecution to see reason. The State wouldn’t budge, so the case went to trial. After a 4 day trial, the jury took approximately 10 minutes to return a Not Guilty verdict.

Actuation:
Second in time DUI
Case Result:
Charge reduced with no jail

Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used      to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.

Accusation:
Resist Arrest
Case Result:
Dismissed

A client was charged with resist arrest after being targeted by police during the protests of Summer 2020. Our firm developed a strategy with activists and members of the media that led to a dismissal of our client’s case and, eventually, all cases connected to the political prosecution of the protesters.

Actuation:
Second in time DUI
Case Result:
Charge reduced with no jail

Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used      to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.

Accusation:
Assault & Disorderly Conduct – Domestic Violence
Case Result:
Dismissal after Diversion

A woman and her boyfriend were arguing over the cleaning of their apartment. The police were called after things escalated and the woman was arrested. The Mesa City Prosecutors originally wanted the woman to do jail time. After working the case and providing background information, we were able to get the prosecutor to allow the woman to complete classes in exchange for a dismissal.

Actuation:
Second in time DUI
Case Result:
Charge reduced with no jail

Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used      to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.

Actuation:
Second in time DUI
Case Result:
Charge reduced with no jail

We have experience managing violent cases that fall under the categories of murder and manslaughter. Out of respect for all Nava Law Firm clients that fall under this case type, we are not providing any information on our website. If you or a loved one have been charged with one of these serious charges, do not speak to police officers and please contact our firm immediately to get a free consultation.

Actuation:
Second in time DUI
Case Result:
Charge reduced with no jail

Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used      to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.