Denmark

by Frank M. Roberts

August 2016

You are what the press politely calls, "a youthful offender." Depending on the crime, and/or the judge, and/or a defense attorney you can get anything from a non-deterrent knuckle rapping, to an active, sometimes harsh sentence. Some learn their lessons, others become repeat offenders.

Sketchily, that's how the juvenile justice system operates in the United States. If you watch the news often enough, you will see that the the first several stories concern serious crimes - often by repeat offenders. So, to put it crudely, 'something ain't working'.

Stay with me now, for an entirely different perspective on treatment for young people in trouble -- in Denmark. In that country they've really 'pushed the boat out' to rid the country of crime. They send - pay attention - criminals on cruises to the Caribbean in a bid to rehabilitate them. They go 'sailing over the bounding main'.

About 30 counties in that Scandinavian country have opted to send about 60 young criminals and drug abusers to those romantic islands. In just five years the city governments, or municipalities, have spent a combined amount of 42 million kroner on these two year treatments. (The American equivalent is roughly $6,305,171).

Fun and games? Not hardly. While the environment is certainly comfortable, it is far removed from a Disney Cruise Line. It is no ball and chain event, but it is an effort, and a successful one to rehabilitate criminal youths. There are two or three troubled youths - 15 and under - on each of the boats (sailing vessels). Over the course of a year they study, and work on board. Older offenders are dealt with in regular criminal courts.

According to historian, Katie Amey, "the aim is to remove the teens from temptation."

It is, to say the least, an unorthodox destination for youthful offenders and addicts. Instead of spending a year behind bars in a detention facility, those young offenders spend that year on a boat in the Caribbean.

While aboard the sailing vessels, which are operated by a rehabilitation company called 'Den Maritime Base' the young offenders work, receive tutoring and, of course, enjoy wholesome outdoor activities.

According to the Danish newspaper, Metroexpress, the youngsters are supervised and taught by a captain and a teacher. After a year, they head back to Denmark to take their exams. And, get this, some harder criminals may be sent out again on a second voyage.

Offenders under 18-years-old usually receive shorter sentences, diversion to welfare authorities or go into the sailing program. The good news for the country as a whole is that crime rates for young offenders were stable or declining throughout the 1990s, according to the Danish Crime Prevention Council. Punishments for those young people are not particularly harsh. Enforcement of prison sentences have declined.

Part Two - Denmark also offers what they call folk high schools, offering non-formal adult education. Most students between 18 and 24-years-old are eligible. The length of a typical stay is four months. They sleep, eat, study, and spend their spare time at the school. There are no academic requirements for admittance and, there are no exams. But, you still get a diploma as proof of your attendance.

Teaching is characterized by "professionalism and dedication," according to the publication, Hojskolerne. "Classes are based on dialogue and mutual learning between teachers and students. The main focus is to discover and strengthen the unique skills of each student in a challenging yet supportive social atmosphere."

Are the students happy with all these choices? One young man explained, " - And we get paid to go to school, actually, instead of in the U. S. You pay to go to school, we get paid to go to school if we pass our exams."

Another student explained, "we're pretty much free to do whatever we want. We're secure from the day we're born, for a Dane who lives in Denmark."

The bottom line to the above is that no student loans are hanging over their heads - all education is free in Denmark, right on thru university. And, students can take as long as they like to complete their studies.

Once out of school? The average work week is 37 hours - and - they get six weeks vacation each year.

Part Three - Teaching empathy. It's not only been proven to make kids more emotionally and socially competent, it has reduced bullying which has become a major, growing problem in our country. It has been working here. A recent study from Duke and Penn State followed more than 750 people for 20 years and found that those who were able to share and help children from kindergarten on up were more likely to graduate from high school and have full time jobs.

The study showed - no surprise - that students who weren't as socially adept were more likely to drop out of school, go to juvenile detention, or need government assistance. A book called, "The Classes Hour," was Dane-inspired. It starts the first day of school and continues until graduation. "It's one of the ways Danes become so skilled at empathy as they grow up."

Those hours are set for a special time once a week and are considered a core part of the curriculum. All students come together in a comfortable setting to talk about any problems they may be having. Together, the class tries to find a solution. "This could be an issue between two students, or something unrelated to school," according to the book, which adds, "if there are no problems to be discussed, they simply come together to relax."

Still more. It's called, "the class hour cake." It's a simple cake that students take turns baking every week for the occasion. If they don't want to bake they can bring in any kind of snack.

Do the empathy classes work? One student, Anne Mikkelson, said, "I remember when we were 10 or 11 we often talked about girl cliques. That was a common topic, and we would discuss it and try to solve it together. Sometimes, that just meant the girls being more aware and trying to interact more with others. It always helped us to talk about it together."

Jessica Alexander, the book's author, said, "it's interesting to think what implementing the Class's Hour in the U. S. school system could do for our future. I can't help but think that incorporating a version of the Danish Hour in our schools and improving empathy could literally be a piece of cake."

Getting it incorporated? In my early reportorial days such a matter was never a topic of discussion.

Part Four - Author-historian Hugh Eakin had this to say about Denmark, describing it as one of the most open and egalitarian countries in the world. "It has the highest income equality and one of the lowest poverty rates of any Western nation. Known for its nearly carbon-neutral cities, its free health care and university education for all, ITS BUS DRIVERS ARE PAID LIKE ACCOUNTANTS. The country has long been envied as a social-democratic success, a place where the state has an improbably durable record of doing good.

"Danish leaders also have a history of protecting religious minorities. The country was unique in Nazi-occupied Europe in prosecuting anti-Semitism and rescuing almost its entire Jewish population."

A final note: My favorite uncle, Soren Sorenson moved to the U. S. in the '30s. He came to this country just about penniless, and eventually started the Bower Roller Bearing Co. He lived sumptuously near one of the great lakes - and - he married the prettiest of my mother's five sisters. Moi? Born and bred in the U. S. A. - loved just about every year of my life - spent four years in the Army - but - it just looks like things are going downhill - and looking at the next president - he or she - that will not likely change.

My daughter used to raise Great Danes -- which has nothing to do with anything. Great Danes are great dogs.