The case in summary Skien prison was converted into a purely women’s prison in June 2023 after critical findings at Bredtveit prison and Ullersmo ward Zulu. A new HSE report shows that the prison has major challenges, with a sharp increase in HSE-related incidents, including violence against staff and self-harm among inmates. Absence due to illness increased from nine to 18 per cent at the department in Skien from June to October 2023. Forensic psychiatrist Randi Rosenqvist believes that female inmates act out in a different way than men, and that more staff, more guidance and expertise are needed to deal with this type inmates. Inmates report several serious incidents, including self-harm and death threats. Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Emilie Enger Mehl understands that this is demanding for the employees, especially during a transition period. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. On 5 June 2023, the correctional service department in Skien was converted into a purely women’s prison. The background for the immediate measure was the result of an inspection in Bredtveit prison and Ullersmo ward Zulu. The civil ombudsman believed the findings were critical and life-threatening. Many thought the prison would be better suited, but a new report shows that the department has faced major challenges. Pure women’s prisons in Norway Prisons with a high security level with a specially designed ward for women: Trondheim and Kongsvinger (the latter has been temporarily converted into a prison with a lower security level for men) Prisons with a lower security level and adapted housing units for women: Bergen prison ward D Both Youth Unit East ( department under Ullersmo prison) and Ungdomsenhet west (department under Bjørgvin prison) also receive female underage inmates. In addition, there are transition homes with residents of both sexes. Source: Correctional Service Punches and kicks Since then, the number of deviations has exploded. Many of the inmates struggle with major psychological challenges, which make everyday life very difficult. Both for themselves and the people around them. Not least the employees. Now action is required. Quickly. A report written by Svein Erik Skjei, chief security officer at Telemark prison in Skien, is clear. Svein Erik Skjei, chief security officer at Skien prison. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news The deviation reporting shows a sharp increase in HSE-related incidents for 2023. – It has been a very challenging situation. We knew about this in the form of the reports from Bredtveit, and that it could be tough. We warned against rushing, he says to news. There are particularly reported deviations in the “perceived workload” category that are worrying. In 2022, a total of 82 HSE deviations were reported. Last year, the number was 379, of which 303 reported perceived workload. The institution did not become a purely women’s prison until halfway through last year, but the employees tell of a major change in everyday working life after this. Skien prison. Photo: Theo Aasland Valen / news Examples of incidents that are reported are kicking, hitting, punching and clawing at employees. Prisoners who injure themselves with a knife. Swallowing toothbrush pieces and light switch cover. Faeces and blood on cells. Death threats. The incidents take a toll on the employees. From 5 June until October last year, sickness absence increased from nine to 18 per cent at the department in Skien. – There is a tremendous increase in situations and events that we find burdensome, says Skjei. Veronica Staulen is serving a sentence for attempted murder in Skien prison. Photo: Theo Aasland Valen / news Serious incidents Veronica Staulen is one of around forty inmates in the women’s prison in Skien. She has been charged with complicity in murder, and is now awaiting trial. She says there have been several serious incidents. – There have been several very serious incidents, both in the air yard and inside. We are on different devices, but we catch all the things that are happening. She believes the reason for the incidents may be how the women live. – I find that such small devices are not the best for women. It gets very crowded in here. Perhaps the women have a little more need for environmental change, she says. Warning against rushing Ingeborg Kivle is a regional shop steward in the Prisons and Probation Association. She knows the prison in Skien and the women’s problem from Bredtveit well from before. – I knew that the numbers were going to be bigger than before, when they had male inmates. Ingeborg Kivle, regional shop steward in the Prisons and Probation Association. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news She also believes that the transition went far too quickly. – They didn’t have time to properly prepare for it. She emphasizes that the employees do what they can. – Those who work here in Skien are incredibly willing to change, but the figures show that something should have been done differently. – Understanding that it is demanding Justice and emergency preparedness minister Emilie Enger Mehl says the government takes the situation in the prison seriously. – Skien prison has been converted into a women’s prison in order to improve the prison conditions for women in general. Women are a demanding group of inmates because they have a higher incidence of mental disorders, more often a history of substance abuse, and many also carry trauma with them. Mehl says she understands that it is demanding. Minister of Justice and Emergency Situations Emilie Enger Mehl. Photo: Hanna Johre / news – I understand that this is demanding for the employees in Skien, and especially during a transition period. At the same time, it was absolutely necessary to establish a separate women’s prison where we can work with a better sentencing offer in the long term, because the conditions have been too bad for many years. She goes on to say that she wants Norwegian prisons to be a place where those who need help can get it. – The establishment of a national reinforced community department for women is an important step on the way. And the SP and Ap government will continue the job of ensuring the best possible working conditions for the employees and good prison conditions for the inmates, says Mehl. – Very challenging group Randi Rosenqvist is a forensic psychiatrist, and has extensive experience in correctional services. She is not surprised that the prison in Skien is struggling with major challenges, and experiences that female inmates act out in a different way than men behind the walls. Randi Rosenqvist has extensive experience in correctional services. Photo: Martin Torstveit / news – In my 45-year psychiatric history, it has always been more difficult to take care of women than men in this category, she says. The psychiatrist emphasizes that this obviously does not apply to women in general. – In the small category that ends up in prison or psychiatry, there will be a group of women who are extremely difficult to handle, she says to news. Her clear appeal is to increase staffing in a women’s prison. – You have to use more employees in relation to female employees than you do in relation to men. They also need more guidance and expertise in handling this type of inmate, Rosenquist believes. Hello! I have written this case. Do you have any tips or input? Maybe there are other topics you think I should look into? Feel free to send me an email.
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Shocking conditions in Skien’s women’s prison – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
