Every year all prison directors in Switzerland participate in a week's study tour abroad, the purpose of which is to gather further professional knowledge and inspiration. This time around they chose Norway.  During their stay they visited a number of sites, including the Prison Training Acedemy (KRUS), Bastøy Prison, and us here at Oslo Prison.

They were able to obtain information related to most of our activities and were given a full tour of the prison establishment. Of special interest was our use of Balanced Scorecards, our Pathfinder Programme ('Stifinnern') and our Education facilities.

One of the aspects which is particularly special with Switzerland is their division into Canton regions. Altogether there are 26 cantons each having a large degree of self-government, with their own constitutions, parliaments and governments. The prisons in the different cantons are therefore also governed in accordance with different sets of laws and regulations, which each canton enjoys considerable freedom in creating themselves.  Even the prison uniforms are different for each canton. All documentation must, however, be written in the three official languages: German, French and Italian. Prison training is centralised, with a universal approach across all cantons. The Prison Training Acedemy is situated in Fribourg.  The period of training for prison officers is actually just as long as in Norway - two years - and is also equally thorough.