Visits to places of detention PRISONS Tromsø prison (10-12 September) The NPM visited Tromsø prison from 10 to 12 September 2014. Tromsø prison’s current capacity is 59 (20 low-­ security spaces and 39 high-security spaces). The prison was notified of the visit four weeks in advance. stay. Furthermore, it was observed that the dentist and psychologist positions were not covered by substitutes when needed, and that the distribution of medicines by the correctional services was insufficiently supervised. The administration and other staff members willingly assisted the NPM during the visit, and provided all requested information. The NPM inspected the prison premises, focusing primarily on the high-security sections. There were also separate meetings with the prison’s health service, and an inspection of the health service facilities. Private conversations with inmates followed. The NPM spoke with 80 percent of the inmates in the high-security sections and 40 percent of the inmates in the low-security sections. All key documents relating to exclusion from company and the use of security cells in the period 2013–2014 were reviewed, as was the use-of-force record for the use of security cells in the period 2012–2014. The NPM also spoke with staff members working at different levels of the organisation, and with union representatives. The visit concluded with a meeting with the prison administration, during which the NPM described its findings and preliminary recommendations. It emerged that the prison sometimes locks down entire sections of the prison, thus requiring all inmates in those sections to remain in their cells during periods in which they would normally be able to spend time in the company of others. Conversations with inmates, the prison administration and staff members, as well as reports from the supervisory council for the northern Norway region, indicate that the use of such collective lockdowns increased in 2013 and 2014. Moreover, such limitations on communal activities were normally neither recorded nor formulated as written individual decisions as required by the Execution of Sentences Act.13 Overall, the prison appeared to be well run. High occupancy (96.4 percent as at 24 August 2014), and a challenging downsizing process are making considerable demands on the administration and staff. Relations among the inmates and between the inmates and staff generally appeared positive. The living conditions of women and persons with disabilities were paid specific attention, and it was found that Tromsø prison faces great difficulties in providing these groups with satisfactory living conditions. For women, this problem arises in high-security sections, while the accommodation of disabled persons is deficient under both high- and low-security regimes. The NPM also inspected the prison premises, and made some comments on matters such as ventilation and the air quality in certain cells. During the visit, the prison’s handling of serious incidents and the use of force were given special attention. A review of all decisions concerning exclusion from company made in 2013 and thus far in 2014 indicated that the prison was assessing and handing such cases responsibly. However, the practice of routinely removing all clothing from inmates placed in security cells was found to be inconsistent with human rights standards. The NPM examined admissions procedures and how inmates are treated during the initial phase of detention, when they are especially vulnerable. Several weaknesses were noted in the admissions procedures and the implementation of the contact officer scheme. The NPM also found weaknesses in how health-related matters were followed up and taken care of upon admission to the prison, and to some extent also later during the 13. See section 37 of the Act of 18 May 2001 relating to the execution of sentences, etc. (the Execution of Sentences Act). Norway’s National Preventive Mechanism – Annual Report 2014 23