Nordic Covid-19 lockdowns: Locked up, locked in and locked out

How has government policies and local interventions adopted to curb the spread of Covid-19 affected prisoners in penal institutions and elderly residents of nursing homes across Sweden, Denmark and Norway?

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What has been the impact of Covid-19 in prisons and nursing homes in the Nordic countries? Photo: Shutterstock

The Nordic countries are often considered egalitarian nations with universal welfare services, humanistic policies and strong guarantees for upholding the Rule of Law. This suggest that these nations treat their marginalized groups, prisoners as well as the elderly, in an inclusive and benevolent manner. But how has government interventions to combat Covid-19 fared in regards to these policies? 

We have invited scholars to discuss how preexisting regulations and reforms, national Covid-19 policy, ad-hoc administrative decisions and localized outbreaks have shaped the treatment of people in state institutions.

•    What has been the impact of Covid-19 in prisons and nursing homes in the Nordic countries?
•    Have mitigation efforts and policies been similar or different? 
•    How are government interventions justified, and what are their legal basis? 

Speakers are

•    Peter Scharff Smith, professor in Sociology of Law, University of Oslo
•    Therese Sefton, Researcher on Sweden and Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic 
•    Amy Clotworthy, assistant professor, University of Copenhagen
 
Moderator is Professor Kristin Bergtora Sandvik, professor in Socio-legal studies at the Faculty of Law, Oslo and Research professor of humanitarian studies at the Peace Research Institute PRIO. 

Published Aug. 5, 2022 11:26 AM - Last modified Oct. 9, 2023 11:36 AM