MAKIS* STANDS FOR:                    * a Norwegian abbreviation used by Oslo Prison

Motivating

Activating

Creativity & Specifying

Individualization

Co-operation

The guiding principles of “MAKIS” have been developed by Fatma Issa Holm.  In this section you can read about her own definitions of what “MAKIS” stands for:

M - Motivating:
“MAKIS” is a set of guiding principles suitable for all inmates wishing to motivate themselves through their work here at Oslo Prison. Our starting point is the inmates’ own particular interests, this being the most effective motivating factor. Together, we identify the particular interests of an inmate so that staff and other inmates can help him exploit them creatively. Interests are typically within painting, computer-work and fly-binding for fishing.

A - Activating:
The “MAKIS” programme consists of different activities in order for all inmates to be able to engage themselves actively and creatively based on their own abilities and opportunities.  Our inmates are expected to be able to develop knowledge and skills they have already acquired. They must also be able to make progress through increasing stages of complexity within different types of activities. Staff are able to assist inmates individually when they need more knowledge and skills within different areas, such as computer operations, digital photo-work, drawing, painting, woodwork, etc. The activity selected by inmates must have the potential to suppress externally motorised abilities through the work activity itself, and it must lead to a strengthening of inner thought processes. This is achieved by addressing a problem or a task that the inmate feels it is important to solve.

Inmates possessing special skills and knowledge, and wishing to contribute by advising, guiding and supporting fellow inmates, have the opportunity to do so through this programme. It is important that inmates make use of their own experiences and keep using the new knowledge acquired. Certain inmates may possess particular knowledge or skills that staff do not posses. In these circumstances a member of staff will join inmates learning this new skill, in order to expand the skills set of the “MAKIS” team.

The starting point for participation in “MAKIS” is a written agreement outlining the particular activity the inmate wishes to work with.  This helps to ensure that rules and procedures are understood and adhered to without deviation. Planning ahead of work commencement is also important.

K - Specifying / Creativity:

1. Knowledge transfer is applied to specific work tasks with the help of learning resources. Certain methods require advanced skills or comprehensive knowledge to solve tasks, but at the same time offer inmates an opportunity to progress through exercises step-by-step. 
2. Inmates have the opportunity to work creatively and completely freely with their own tasks, or they can seek advice or assistance to put their ideas into practice. These ideas may be related to established work activities within the group or related to other relevant areas, such as composing music, choreography, dietary, physical training, school homework, languages, etc. With a large group of participants there will always be a wide range of knowledge and skills. The challenge is to identify opportunities for exploiting these insights and abilities, and for giving inmates support to develop themselves within their own fields of interest.

I - Individualization:
Inmates are given work tasks that are suited to their individual abilities and opportunities. This is done so that inmates can draw on their own resources and receive help with their weaknesses.  Individualization implies that inmates do not receive equal treatment from facilitators, instead they get he help they need. Facilitators provide therefore difference advice to each individual inmate. Using this approach, a facilitator tries to achieve a situation whereby an individual inmate can achieve the best possible result with his work assignment and with other activities he is involved in as part of the “MAKIS” programme. It helps a lot by providing routines – many inmates are not used to having routines during the working day. Other aspects are explored, such as general manners, codes of conduct, normal politeness, taking responsibility and contributing to the best of our ability.

Sometimes it is difficult for inmates to contribute positively during the day, both work-wise and in their relations to other inmates, so we impose demands for inmates to comply with. Compliance must be demonstrated swiftly. We are not interested in enlisting persons whose aim is to destroy the day for the rest of the group. Inmates participating in “MAKIS” must be a resource for themselves and for the “MAKIS” programme. Each inmate is not a worthless individual but a valuable person and must be told so from the first day he joins the “MAKIS” programme.

S – Co-operation:
“MAKIS” wants inmates to be able to achieve further personal and social development. This is an important task for each inmate and involves practising social skills. Facilitators place signinficant emphasis on training inmates to co-operate well, both with staff and with fellow inmates. Because our group is large, and within it there are considerable differences between people, we must exercise responsibility at our workplace. Positivism is the lifestyle we adopt in “MAKIS”. This implies that we strive to be positive in all situations for the benefit of staff and inmates. This is a significant challenge which we attach significant importance to at “MAKIS”. It is NOT an easy task but we try to do our best. “MAKIS” focuses on trial time here for inmates. If an inmate is unwilling to co-operate he will soon miss his place in our programme. We do not waste time on inmates who are not positive to the “MAKIS” programme. We focus also on respect. We challenge inmates to show respect for themselves so that they get the opportunity to respect us and their work.  We emphasise that inmates must enjoy their work experience with us and that they are accepted as part of a group which strives to keep the working environment satisfactory. Inmates must concentrate on exploiting their resources in order to build up positive actions during each working day.