Special Report to the Storting
Document 4:3 (2018–2019)
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Method
This report is based on the findings and
recommendations made during the Parliamentary
Ombudsman’s visits to prisons under the OPCAT
mandate. During the period 2014–2018, the
Parliamentary Ombudsman’s National Preventive
Mechanism carried out 20 visits to 19 high-security
prisons:
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Tromsø Prison
Bergen Prison – two visits
Ringerike Prison
Bjørgvin Prison, Juvenile Unit
Trondheim Prison
Telemark Prison, Skien Branch
Kongsvinger Prison
Bredtveit Women’s Prison
Vadsø Prison
Drammen Prison
Stavanger Prison
Norgerhaven Prison
Telemark Prison, Kragerø Branch
Ullersmo Prison – Juvenile Unit East
Ila Detention and Security Prison
Ullersmo Prison
Åna Prison
Arendal Prison
Oslo Prison
1.1 Preparations for visits
Before every visit, documentation is obtained from
the prison administration and other relevant sources.
This includes routines and procedures, local guidelines,
administrative decisions on coercive measures, records,
plans and medical documentation. The documentation
is analysed and used as basis for preparing notes for
the visit and interview guides.
1.2 Execution of visits
The visits are conducted by a team of six to eight
people, depending on the size of the prison. The team
is interdisciplinary and always includes staff with
backgrounds from the law, social science and healthcare professions. The Parliamentary Ombudsman may
also use external experts if there is a need for additional
expertise relating to the place of the visit.
The visits are of two to four days’ duration and consist
of inspection rounds, interviews with inmates and
employees, and documentary reviews. The interviews
with inmates are conducted in suitable premises, and
correctional service staff shall not be able to listen in
on what is being said.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman has right of access to
all necessary information of relevance to the conditions
of detention for people deprived of their liberty.2
2
OPCAT Article 20 and the Norwegian Act relating to the Parliamentary Ombudsman Section 7 first paragraph.
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