New prison will pair security with rehabilitation

Ragna Bjarnadóttir, director of the prison service, says the planned high-security prison at Stóra-Hraun will combine tighter security with rehabilitation. She told mbl.is that rehabilitation is also a matter of public safety, helping prepare people for life in the community after release.

The prison’s design is intended to separate different groups of inmates for security reasons while giving everyone realistic access to work, education, outdoor time and rehabilitation. The project is also described as including cooking, meditation and visual art.

The first phase is expected to be completed in 2031 at an estimated cost of 17.8 billion krónur. It will include accommodation for 56 inmates across eight units. Each unit is planned to have its own outdoor area, kitchen, lounge, laundry facilities and access to a gym. Inmates are expected to do as much as possible for themselves, including cooking and washing their clothes.

The first phase will also include four workplaces and outdoor activity areas. The work on offer will be suited to different abilities, and practical vocational training will be available alongside classroom teaching.

The second phase is due for completion in 2034 and is estimated to cost about 9 billion krónur, bringing the total projected cost to almost 27 billion. Bjarnadóttir said activity during a prison sentence was important, and that conditions at Litla-Hraun currently limit opportunities for it.