Little Scandinavia: Rehabilitation over Punishment in Prison by Ben Waxman
- Angela Coppola
- Sep 7, 2025
- 1 min read
Speaker: Ben Waxman
While visiting SCI Chester in 2023, Pennsylvania State Representative Ben Waxman met an inmate serving time in a prison unit known as “Little Scandinavia.” It was the site of a study investigating the impact of the Scandinavian approach to incarceration, which emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment. Struck by its potential, he returned to speak with inmates and officers, later championing the project by organizing a documentary screening, press conference, and legislative briefing to raise awareness among policymakers.
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