The small Red Cross ward in the prison is not like other wards in the organization. They have only three members, and all are inmates. – When I first came in here, I imagined that I would atone for my time without getting to know anyone. There are only thugs here anyway, I thought, Christopher smiles. Teaches first aid and arranges social events Now he is part of the project “Community and first aid” which has been tested in Norway for the first time. The project was initiated by the Red Cross, and started in April 2021. At that time also at Stavanger prison, but the project has not been continued to the same extent there. – We arrange, among other things, first aid courses and focus on infection control, Christopher explains. From a small office in the prison, he manages, and two others, the inmates’ Red Cross ward. A separate local association in Verdal Red Cross. The inmates have i.a. made fire pans, where they invite to social gatherings in the evening. Photo: Solvår Flatås / news The goal is to help fellow prisoners and to have a better environment in prison. In addition, they are concerned about mental health. – There will be a lot of waffle baking. We also try to involve those who would most like to sit alone in the cell, says Christopher. – Has changed the environment in the prison Christine Wauger Børstad is the return coordinator in Verdal prison. She is very proud that they, in collaboration with the Red Cross, have trained inmates to become voluntary Red Cross members. – We see what this does to the inmates. Not only those who are volunteers, but also all the others, says Christine Wauger Børstad. She says that the psychosocial environment in the prison has become much better. Among other things, the volunteers have information meetings for the other inmates every week. – There they go through things they were wondering about when they arrived. These are things that we who work here may not think much about, says Wauger Børstad. In addition, the management of the prison is very happy that the inmates arrange sports events and well-being evenings for everyone. – It is jammed over calmer and fewer requests to the guard now than before the project started, says return coordinator in Verdal prison, Christine Wauger Børstad. Photo: Solvår Flatås / news Understand the inmates better The Red Cross is also very happy with its members in Verdal prison. Carola Ruud is the national specialist responsible for the Red Cross’ visitor service. She praises the project, Verdal prison and the inmates. – We use the inmates to work with good projects from the inside, says Carola Ruud. Among other things, she brags about how the inmates in Verdal prison teach each other first aid and infection control. – It is the inmates who know where the shoe hits, it is they who know what they need in relation to health and mental health, says Ruud. Verdal prison is a low-risk prison, which is equipped with fewer security measures than prisons you usually envision. Photo: Silje Kolaas / news Awakens international attention The Red Cross’ model is international, and has been successfully used in prisons in Australia and Ireland, among other places. – We were especially inspired by the experiences from Ireland, says Carola Ruud. Many more countries are also interested in improving prison conditions by involving prisoners to become members of the Red Cross. Recently, the regional leader of the Red Cross in South America visited Verdal. He is responsible for program activities in prisons, including in Colombia, El Salvador and Honduras. Christopher Hille (left) told Andres Kruesi, from the Red Cross in South America, about what it is like to work for the Red Cross, inside the prison. Photo: private
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Inmates in Verdal prison have started a Red Cross ward. Improves the environment for the inmates – news Trøndelag
