27-02-2025 11:35
Our journey to Norway crosses our path with Velio Ivanov from the Bulgarian city Stara Zagora who has been in Norway for 11 years, 10 of which working in the country's prison system. For the past three years, he has been a guard at a prison that is essentially the prototype for the new high-security prison in Samoranovo - the Froland high-security unit at Agder Prison. It has a capacity of 200 prisoners and opened in September 2020.
We met Velio at his workplace a few days ago when a delegation from the General Directorate Execution of Penalties visited the prison as part of a study visit. The surprise and joy of this meeting were evident on both sides - the Bulgarian visitors and their symbolic host, who had the opportunity to speak in his native language. He shared how he upgraded his career at one of the most modern prisons in Norway, whose vision, structure and good practices Bulgaria is trying to implement as a pilot project. First and foremost, Velio does not feel treated differently, despite being the only foreign guard there. We didn’t sense any difference either - on the contrary, we saw only respect and collegiality. He ended up in one of Norway’s 42 prisons by chance, through an acquaintance who was already a guard. In Bulgaria, he had completed a degree in economics in Svishtov and worked in a completely different field. In Norway, he initially secured a temporary position as a prison guard due to staff shortages, especially during the vacation months. He realized he could handle the job and decided to pursue it as a career. He applied to the University College of the Norwegian Correctional Service (KRUS), where admission required passing a Norwegian language exam, a physical fitness test and multiple interviews. He explained that the training lasts three years - two years of theory and practice, followed by a third year working in the prison where one intends to be employed.
Norway's educational system for correctional officers focuses on two main subjects - security and the rehabilitation of inmates. Security is divided into dynamic and static security. Velio explained that dynamic security involves building a relationship with inmates based on mutual respect - this is a core principle that is now being introduced in Bulgaria. Other areas of study include ethics, professionalism, and criminology - examining whether crime is innate or influenced by external factors. The third year is entirely practical, with experienced guards acting as mentors. "It's normal to have skepticism about something new, but over time, people will see that it works and is beneficial," Velio said regarding the new training methods being implemented for Bulgarian prison guards. The last six months of training focus primarily on legal frameworks, which form the foundation of their work.
At Froland Prison, Velio works 142 hours per month, with shifts of 8 or 12 hours. The facility has 146 guards and seven social workers. Additionally, municipal employees, NGO representatives, and healthcare staff contribute to rehabilitation efforts. Both Froland Prison and the newly built prison in Samoranovo are designed in a cross shape, providing greater security and economic efficiency. Inmates in this unit cook their own meals after purchasing groceries from the prison store, helping them develop self-sufficiency skills. This aligns with the prison administration’s vision of preparing inmates for reintegration into society.
The Bulgarian delegation also observed the teamwork between guards and social workers, emphasizing their shared goal: ensuring that when inmates are released and become neighbors, there is no reason to fear them. "Norway’s penal system is based on humanistic principles and the individual adaptation of inmates," the prison’s management shared. They added that their vision is "Punishment that changes people," with core values of openness, safety, and innovation. Education is a priority, helping inmates secure employment upon release. Various vocational training programs are offered, including cooking, hairdressing, and arts and crafts. The prison meets and even exceeds European standards - bright, modern, and well-furnished - conditions that the Bulgarian penitentiary system, with support from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, has been working to provide in recent years. The sleeping quarters are similar to those in Samoranovo, with the main difference being that Norwegian cells accommodate one inmate, whereas Bulgaria’s new cells house two.
As we said goodbye, we asked Velio if he would consider returning to Bulgaria. "I’m happy with my journey in Norway, but I’d always be open to trying something new," he replied.
Challenge accepted!
