Bastøy

Bastøy is a prison island in Horten Municipality consisting of farmland, forests, and beaches spread across roughly 2.6 square kilometers. Around 115 male inmates live in wooden cottages scattered throughout the property.

The Norwegian government purchased the island in 1898 for 95,000 kroner and initially established a juvenile detention center that operated until 1970. After this closure, it transitioned to housing adult prisoners.

The name Bastøy comes from Old Norse meaning "bare island", which visitors notice in the open, windswept character of the land. The place operates as a working community where residents engage in daily tasks that shape how the island functions.

The island is accessible by ferry service from Horten three times per week, and some visitors can arrange overnight stays in designated apartments. Since accommodation on the island is limited, it is best to plan visits well in advance.

The facility operates without fences or walls, allowing inmates to move freely across the grounds in an open prison system. Despite this approach, the recidivism rate stands at around 16 percent, far lower than typical rates in Norway and internationally.

Location: Horten Municipality

GPS coordinates: 59.37500,10.52778

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:58