Waxman Applauds Department of Corrections Announcement of Scandinavian Prison Unit in Pennsylvania
Rep. Ben Waxman March 3, 2025 | 1:27 PM
HARRISBURG, March 3 – During today’s Pennsylvania budget hearing, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections announced the expansion of the Scandinavian Unit at the State Correctional Institute in Chester to other facilities across the state.
"It's looking very promising, to the point where we're looking to expand it to three other facilities, hopefully this year," said Corrections Secretary Dr. Laurel R. Harry. "[The] incarcerated individuals on that unit do feel safer because there is less violence, there's more of a camaraderie amongst the inmate population, so I think those are some of the key takeaways for the inmate population. We're looking at staff wellness because we know corrections is a challenging environment, and I think one of the key benefits is the staff...they feel much calmer walking onto that unit, less stress working on that unit, they definitely feel a sense of purpose working on that unit."
State Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila., has long been a proponent for funding to expand this unit to other corrections facilities across Pennsylvania. The unit, which is also known as Little Scandinavia, was a pilot project modeled after prisons in Scandinavia, where the core values are safety, transparency and innovation, with a focus on normality and reintegration into the community upon release.
““It's time for a shift in how we handle corrections in Pennsylvania. Little Scandinavia isn't just a program, it's a new horizon in rehabilitation and human rights. This model focuses on transformative care, not just incarceration,” Waxman said. “I’m incredibly glad to hear the news that this unit may be making its way to more correctional facilities across Pennsylvania, and I will look forward to seeing it’s positive effects on those incarcerated at these facilities.”
Waxman’s questioning from today’s budget hearing can be viewed here: Waxman Gets Update on Little Scandinavia.