Read the article from TV2 here
Here, we had the opportunity to meet both staff and inmates, and we are very excited to hear their stories and see how things work in practice.
Through the esports program, we’ve found that inmates find inspiration to get up in the morning, engage in physical activity, maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and participate more actively in both educational and work programs. They also experience positive mental development. Both individually and in collaboration with others. In other words, they view life more positively, which in turn makes them better prepared for rehabilitation and better equipped for life upon their release.
Our president, Ole Jørstad, has already made a case for a national initiative and the creation of a league where inmates from across the country can meet and compete. After all, a Rosenborg vs. Brann match doesn’t have to take place only at Lerkendal or Brann Stadium. “It would simply be awesome to pull something like that off,” says Ole.
Alex Hole, the educational director at Evolvehub, says that they greatly appreciate the commitment of the Norwegian Esports Federation and believe that, together, they can create something unique both inside and outside the prison walls. ReConnect has now been tested in Trondheim with positive feedback, and we are currently in discussions with several prisons in Norway, including Bergen, Bodø, Tromsø, and Vadsø.
We at the Norwegian Esports Federation are closely monitoring developments and will provide assistance wherever we can to ensure that this program can be rolled out nationwide in all of Norway’s prisons.
Together, we can create a safe and inspiring environment that can help people make better and more informed choices both inside and outside these walls.
We look forward to the next installment