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Thursday, 29 October 2026 Icelandic stories. Global audience.
Icelandic Life

Iceland plans new high-security prison at Stóra-Hraun

The planned facility will focus on rehabilitation, offering cooking, meditation and visual arts activities, according to Iceland’s director of prisons, which could affect how high-security inmates are managed.

White houses and green meadow with mountains beyond
File photo.

mbl.is reported on Wednesday that a new high-security prison will be established at Stóra-Hraun in Iceland. Plans for the facility include a strong emphasis on both security and rehabilitation for inmates.

Ragna Bjarnadóttir, the director of prisons, said it will be very important that the new prison meets higher security standards while also supporting prisoners’ needs for rehabilitation. She emphasised that security and rehabilitation are not separate.

According to Ragna Bjarnadóttir, activities for inmates at the new Stóra-Hraun prison will include cooking, meditation and visual arts. Further details on when the prison will open, its planned capacity, and a full timeline for construction have not been announced.

Sources