More violence in Norwegian prisons

Prison,Service NumbersPrison.Photo: Norway Today Media

So far this year there has been 736 cases of violence and threats against employees of Correctional Services recorded. This is almost double compared to the same period last year.

Throughout 2015 there were 801 cases of violence and intimidation registered , which also was a big increase compared to the previous year, according to NRK news.

– I’m pretty convinced that it’s worse than ever now. We are often spat on. It has picked up recently, says Frode Stangeby, who has worked as a prison guard since 1989.

According to the Correctional Services Directorate a major part of the increase is related to Oslo prison, but also in the southern region, which covers Vestfold, Buskerud and Telemark, the number of cases have doubled.

– Many inmates have mental problems. It is a difficult situation for prison when we have so many difficult inmates while continuing to save money, said the Deputy Regional Director for Correctional services in the southern region, Erling Fæste.

Deputy Director of Correctional Services Directorate, Jan Erik Sandlie, says they are working to make the situation better.

– We’re putting together a working group to look into this issue in full, says Sandlie.

He says that the use of security cells in Vestfold, Buskerud and Telemark has tripled.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today

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