Straff

In this documentary, we follow four inmates undergoing a three-week Jesuit silent retreat at Halden Prison.

Since 2013, the prison has offered inmates the opportunity to participate in a retreat where they live like monks. For 21 days, they remain silent and withdraw from the outside world. They are not allowed to watch TV or listen to the radio; their days are filled with masses, prayer verses, meditation, and exercises in ethics. The only interruption is a half-hour daily conversation with the priest. Through these conversations, we delve into the lives of the inmates, hearing their thoughts on life, remorse, and the future.

Documentary filmmaker Øystein Mamen has created a film that invites reflection and introspection. It is a calm and observational film, shot in black and white, that paints four portraits of individuals breaking down our preconceptions about inmates in high-security prisons.