About Us

Justice
Humanity
Collaboration

Guided by a belief that direct exposure to alternate systems is paramount to gaining perspective, the International Justice Exchange (IJE) is designed to provide ground level stakeholders firsthand experiences with model justice systems outside of the United States. The first phase is focusing on Norway and Germany, two systems noted for their humane prison conditions, evidence based sentencing practices, and low recidivism and prison rates. The IJE will document these experiences to share with non-participants and support efforts to develop model laws, policies, and regulations to be implemented within Connecticut.

The International Justice Exchange is supported by the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) at UConn in collaboration with numerous Connecticut, national and international organizations.

Bergen Prison, Norway
Extreme Sports Bike
Extreme Sports Bike
Extreme Sports Mountain Climbing
Extreme Sports Mountain Climbing
Comparative Analysis

Prison population per 100,000 people

278 in CT compared to:

~ Baden-Württemberg: 57
~ Norway: 54

Youth are 416% more...

likely to be incarcerated in CT than in Norway.

Depression in U.S corrections officers is 25%...

higher than the national average of 7%.

Baden-Württemberg’s total population is 3x larger

Although Baden-Württemberg’s total population is 3x larger, 161% more people are incarcerated in CT.

Key Features

Engage. Empower. Unite.

Bridging local dedication with global insights, we’re empowering Connecticut stakeholders through education, collaboration, comparative analysis, and resource provision. Join us on this transformative journey towards a more just and equitable future.

Educational Campaign

Empowering stakeholders

Education

Empowering stakeholders through a critical exchange of ideas and exposure to global justice systems.

International Collaboration

Fostering connections

Collaboration

Fostering connections and uniting efforts to drive holistic justice reform both locally and internationally.

Comparative Analysis

Evaluating global best practices

Comparative Analysis

Evaluating global best practices to  inform Connecticut’s justice transformation.

Resources

Providing essential tools

Resources

Providing essential tools and materials to support the journey toward improved justice outcomes.

Reflections

“People were asking the German correctional officers, “so where’s the punishment part of this?”  And they said, “the punishment is the deprivation of liberty.  But apart from that, our job is to create as normal an environment as possible for people who are serving their sentences.”  And then they would ask, “What is the goal of your prison system?” And each person who was asked this question said the same thing, “Our goal is to prepare these men to enter the community.  That’s our job.”

Mike Lawlor, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice Department, University of New Haven, CT

The way that Norway acknowledges that here’s a future for these youngsters, that in the space that is Correction that there’s opportunity for still acknowledging their humanness completely while acknowledging that their behavior is something that can be shifted and changed.

Danielle Cooper, Director of Research, Tow Youth Justice Institute, Univesity of New Haven, CT

We have had this vision in the Norwegian Correctional Service that we are building a safe society.  We are building safe neighbors when we are releasing people.

Per Sigurd Våge, Director, International Unit, Norwegian Correctional Services, Norway

The idea of removing this right has never really in modern days been discussed at all.  Across the political spectrum it would be seen as total science fiction.  It’s not something we would even consider.

(On discussing an incarcerated individual’s right to vote).

Thomas Ugelvik, University of Oslo, Norway