The Conversation

What's it like inside a women's prison? Kim Chakanetsa talks with two women running prisons in Norway and Kenya, who believe prison shouldn't be just about punishment. Olivia Obell is the Officer-in-Charge of Lang'ata Women's Prison in Nairobi, Kenya. She's been responsible for bringing in sweeping changes to prison programmes, introducing more vocational courses, yoga classes and - somewhat controversially - a beauty pageant. She says that the public should see prisoners - or 'clients' as she calls them - as people first and foremost, and that everyone deserves a second chance. Doris Bakken is the Deputy Prison Governor at Bredtveit Prison in Oslo, Norway. The prison is known as one of the most progressive in the world. She joined the prison services on a whim, but soon fell in love with the pastoral side of the role and now takes care of 64 female inmates at Bredtveit. She firmly believes that the key is helping these women make new lives for themselves after prison, so that is what most of her efforts are focussed on. Image: (L) Olivia Obell and (R) Doris Bakken Credit: (L) ‘The Lady Photographer’ and (R) Doris Bakken