NEW ACTIVITY CENTRE AND

VISITORS' CENTRE

The yellow buildings - the so-called German barracks from World War II - will be demolished to make room for the new activity centre. Today the buildings house the prison's clothing department and offices for the operations dept.

In the state budget for 2011 announced this week, the Norwegian government has recommended the allocation of funds to build a new Activity Centre at Oslo Prison. NOK 10 million has also been ear-marked for complete refurbishment of the current visiting facilities in Dept. B.

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Tekxt and photo: Knut-Erik Rønningen, published 06.10.10.

Oslo Prison is the country's oldest prison. Although several of the prison's buildings may well be historically interesting, even charming, they are hardly practical or appropriate in this day and age. One of our biggest challenges is to provide meaningful recreational, educational and vocational activities for the prison's inmates. With our current facilities the prison is only able to offer schooling or work-places to approximately 40% of the inmates. It is therefore hardly surprising that the recent budget announcement, indicating that we will be provided with both a new Activity Centre and new Visitors' Centre, was met with universal applause.

Meaningful sentencing period
The government recommends the allocation of NOK 15 million in 2011 for a new Activity Centre at Oslo Prison. The total cost of the centre's building, scheduled for completion during 2013, is NOK 155 million. The centre will house a gymnasium, cloakrooms, education rooms, a kitchen, a shop as well as music rooms.

– A recent survey shows that Norway has the lowest rate of all countries in the Nordic region for repeat criminality after release from prison. Education, work and recreational activities contribute to providing meaningful sentencing and a successful return to the community outside prison. It is therefore particularly important that we have good activity programs and facilities in the country's largest prison, commented Norway's Minister of Justice, Knut Storberget in the government's press announcement.

Children Friendly
NOK 10 million has also been allocated to build a completely new Visitors' Centre in Oslo Prison's Dept. B.

- Contrary to today's situation, the centre will have its own entrance, a small outdoor area, 5-6 visiting rooms, each with a window, a dedicated area for visits from solicitirs and legal representatives and a play area for children, comments the prison's first officer, Laila Eidsvåg, who is also responsible for the visitors' dept.

- Working conditions for the employees will also be much better. We are absolutely delighted, she added.

During the planning process for the new Visitors' Centre the prison's employees were encouraged to offer comments and recommendations. All of these were heard. The Norwegian Association for Relatives of Prisoners as well as Norway's Ombudsman for Children were also involved. The new Visitors' Centre will be ready for opening in April 2011.

This picture shows the present visiting facilities in Dept. B. The visitors have to sit around tables together in a visiting hall.

New visiting times for solicitors and legal representatives
During the re-building period, all visits will take place in the Assembly Hall, Dept. B. Due to capacity limitations, it has been necessary to make adjustments to the visiting times. Building work commences 18. November, and will finish in April 2011.
Visiting times for appointed defence counsel and solicitors will be: Monday to Friday 1200 – 2000. Saturday and Sunday will be reserved for close relatives.
During rebuilding, the Assembly Hall will be divided into 5 seating groups, each divided by wall-partitioning. We regret any inconvenience for legal visits caused by this temporary arrangement, and appreciate your understanding and co-operation.

Welcome to a completely new Visitors' Centre in April 2011!