The Greenlandic prison and probation system
The greenlandic prison and probation system is unique to the world. The criminal law does not mention punishment, but instead talks of measures. Furthermore the principal guideline to imprisonment is to maintain the prisoners connection to the community and strengthen it.
Greenland is part of the danish kingdom and the judiciary is under danish jurisdiction. While the Greenlandic self rule government has responsibility for most institutions and structures in society, such as the healthcaresystem and the educationalsystem, a number of responsibilities still falls on the danish state.
This means that while the criminal law is based on the (ideology and) intentions of the Greenlandic people and bills regarding the judiciary are presented to and passed by the Greenlandic parliament, the final passage of bill falls on the danish parliament as well as the entire funding.
The Greenlandic criminal law does not operate with standard penal frameworks, but in each case takes into account the perpetrators social and personal situation, as well as the crime.
All the 6 prisons in Greenland are defined as open prisons. If inmates has employment or is studying at the time of imprisonment, this is maintained during imprisonment, as long as the terms for imprisonment is kept. Inmates without employment outside the institution are employed, within the institution. In these cases the inmates is encouraged to seek employment outside the prison. Social workers as well as the guards are trained to motivate inmates to leave behind criminal activity.
Even though rehabilitation is highly prioritized in the laws and regulations as well as in everyday life in the institutions, many inmates struggle with basic life skills. Many has no job training, very little or no formal education and substance abuse. The task that falls on the guards, the social workers and the jobconsultants in the institutions is oftentimes difficult.
In spite of that, there is little animosity between inmates and professionals and violence is not a big issue.
You are welcome to contact us for further information:
e-mailadress: kf@kriminalforsorgen.gl
Phonenumber:(+299) 34 75 00 (press 1, then 1 again)