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Prison waiting list is practically gone

Party leader Siv Jensen, child and cash benefitsParty leader Siv Jensen (Progress Party).Photo: Berit Roald / NTB scanpix

Siv Jensen, leader of the Progress Party believes that the waiting list for Norwegian prisoners in practically gone after the opening of a Norwegian jail in the Netherlands.

“Yesterday we received the latest figures from the Correctional Care Ministry that there are 328 people waiting to be placed in prison. The waiting list is practically disappearing with FRP in the government, says Siv Jensen during her speech at the National Executive Committee Meeting this Saturday.

Earlier this year, in October, 350 prisoners were waiting to be placed in prison. Jensen pointed out during her speech that in October 2013, 1.200 Norwegian prisoners were on the waiting list, meaning that the list has become considerably shorter over the past three years.

One of the main reason for this reduction is the establishment of a Norwegian jail in the Netherlands. Norway has signed an agreement with the Netherlands on renting Norgerhaven prison in the northwestern part of the Netherlands for three years. The first flight with inmates to the Netherlands started in early September.

“We see an obvious proof that the policy works in practice. We should open the doors for similar agreements abroad while we build prisons here in Norway”, says Jensen.

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today