During Parliamentary recess Michael took the opportunity to visit a prison in Bergen in Norway. It is a special unit for offenders aged 15-18. Norway has a very low re-offending rate for ex-offenders, and Michael wanted to find out what aspects of their system could be beneficial for prisons in Britain. He spent some of the time meeting Leif Waage, Deputy Regional Director with the Norwegian Correctional Service.
Michael has a particular interest in prisons reform, ensuring that everyone upon release from prison has the opportunity to rebuild their lives, seek employment, a stable home and stop future offending.
The government have just introduced the Prisons and Courts Bill which will enshrine in law the purpose of prison, and that the reform of offenders is a key aim for prisons. Michael is keen to contribute to the debate, and will feed back what he learned from the visit in Norway.