A Comparative Study of the Management Structure of Prisons and Recidivism in the Penal Systems of Iran, the United States, and Norway

The purpose of prison extends beyond simply creating a separation between criminals and society; ultimately, criminals will reintegrate into the community. Therefore, it is essential to implement effective policies that harness the potential of prisons to transform prisoners' perspectives on criminal behavior. Consequently, effective prison management plays a crucial role in achieving this objective. The current research aims to investigate the structure of prison management and recidivism within the penal systems of Iran, the United States, and Norway using a descriptive analytical method. In the Iranian penal system, prior to the approval of the 1400 prison implementation regulations by the judiciary, the management of prisons had become an incomplete process due to a lack of specialized planning, inadequate utilization of the potential of religious education, and reliance on ineffective incentive packages. The aforementioned regulations approach prison management from a revolutionary perspective. If fully implemented, they could lead to significant improvements in prison management in Iran. In the meantime, the American penal system, characterized by its stringent policies, utilizes the labor of prisoners as a form of government-sanctioned servitude, which yields unsatisfactory outcomes. In contrast, Norway emphasizes the reintegration of offenders into society by implementing effective strategies during incarceration. This approach focuses on addressing maladaptive behaviors rather than criminal conduct within the prison environment, resulting in the lowest recidivism rates globally. Norway's model of prison management could serve as a valuable framework for reforming the penal system in Iran.