The news series “Leo and the dangerous” has shed new light on heartbreaking conditions in Norwegian prisons. Women with serious mental disorders, who in some cases do not even understand simple sentences, are locked up without proper mental health care. In the series, prison officers tell about a woman who tried to take her own life four times during one shift. Such situations are not unique. Seat belts, isolation and safety cells are too often the answer to too few helping hands. Sicker and treated worse Norwegian prisons are under pressure. The resources are scarce, and the needs great. The situation for female inmates is particularly serious. In the proposal for the state budget, it is true that NOK 11 million is proposed for the study of a new women’s prison. That is good, but does little for the women who are already serving time today. Their situation requires immediate action, but far too little is happening. I have now therefore complained to the Directorate of Correctional Services before the Discrimination Board. Unbelievable The numbers speak for themselves: 3 out of 4 female inmates have a mental disorder, and over half have a substance abuse disorder. Only 6 percent of prisoners in Norway are women, but they account for 80 percent of all self-harm and 75 percent of suicide attempts. In 2023, 35 out of 37 decisions about belt beds were made against women. With these statistics, it is almost impossible to believe that female inmates do not have better mental health services, that they often have to serve time far away from their families, and that their substance abuse services are not better developed. Vicious circle We at the Equality and Discrimination Ombudsman, together with the University of Oslo, have documented a vicious circle for women in prison. Lack of follow-up for mental disorders leads to more coercion and isolation. The women face strict security measures that do not take their mental health into account, and this can reinforce the negative spiral of self-harm and suicide attempts. The sickest women are instead tossed between psychiatry and prison, without lasting treatment. Female inmates with severe psychosocial impairments also do not have access to reinforced community wards, which male inmates have. We believe this is a clear breach of the principle of equal treatment. Took her own life In the spring of 2023, the situation received extra attention when a woman in Bredtveit women’s prison took her own life in the prison’s common area. One measure to improve the situation was to convert Skien prison into a purely women’s prison. The measure caused the media storm to subside, but the latest HSE report from there shows a sharp increase in violence against employees and self-harm among inmates. This is alarming, and shows that the establishment of this prison is not sufficient to look after the women. And although Bredtveit’s high-security department was closed, it was due to structural challenges, not as a response to the conditions there being unsustainable. Such structural problems illustrate how the entire system is at breaking point. Expecting immediate measures Ultimately, we must remember that those in prison must get out again. We must ensure that female inmates receive the follow-up they need to be able to function in society when they are released. Then you need: Increased resources to ensure higher staffing. More substance abuse units and more places at the units. Increased psychiatric support and treatment. Financial support for relatives’ travel expenses and increased calling time. When the location of a new women’s prison is to be decided, the proximity principle must be observed to the greatest extent possible, in order to facilitate contact with family and friends. Money has been allocated for a reinforced community ward for women, but the ward has not yet been established. It’s urgent. Better conditions for women in prison is not just a matter of justice. It is a social investment. And it can save lives. Send us your opinion Want to write? Feel free to contact us at news Ytring with your post. The guidelines can be found here. Published 24.10.2024, at 12.25 p.m
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