Funny you should mention that documentary...

I'll just say it was (and still is) very popular among inmates and many are outraged when they find out what the Nordic system is like, specifically in Norway. Guys were losing their shit when they saw the humane living conditions, especially when it was explained that yes-- even Norway has hardened criminals who are nonetheless treated with decency and the ultimate goal of reintegration/rehabilitation.

I'm really glad you asked about that documentary. I'm guessing it had to have been the same one-- at some point they show the apartment-like living quarters and show the inmates living a very normal looking like, not even dressed in an orange jumpsuit.

But yeah, a lot of guys felt a mix of emotions watching that documentary. Happiness for Norwegian inmates that they actually aren't being treated like shit, happy that even the COs there seem to be genuinely rehabilitative-minded, but outraged and very sad that all this time we've been told all the "soft" approaches like Norway's isnt effective and that Norway doesn't have hard criminals like N. America (low-key racism is implied IMO), only to find out Norway does have hard criminals, many of which are able to turn their life around when they're not dealing with state-inflicted traumatic retribution.

Guys are more likely to open up about their prison experience if they know there's a chance it could perhaps help guys currently inside. Not every formerly incarcerated person is open to this but you might be surprised.