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markvdb

The Norwegian system is capital intensive, but good at preventing recidivism.[0][1][2]

Evidence based policy works. Even starting the transition to evidence based policy in the US would be hard though.

[0] https://scholarlycommons.law.emory.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?a...

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48885846

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_Norway

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A system that works in a country won’t work in another country that is culturally different, more heterogenous, etc.

It might not work as well, but there are certainly useful hints to be taken.

At a bare minimum, it proves that recidivism is not laws-of-physics unavoidable.

As you say, going from what we have to what they have will be no simple matter. It would take decades of reform at the very least. In the meantime, it doesn't make sense to just stop improning people for minor crimes.

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