A kick-off meeting was recently arranged at Oslo Prison to mark the start-point for work on a new government white paper on the correctional services. And in order to obtain valuable advice and input based on previous experience, Knut Storberget, Minister of Justice, had invited all previous Ministers of Justice since the publication of the government white paper on correctional services back in 1978.

Few government white papers have created such a public debate as the previous Minister of Justice Inger Louise Valle's white paper on the correctional services in 1978. However, many of the criminological views that this was based on, and that led to heated discussions at that time, are today generally accepted. With the new white paper, Knut Storberget hopes, once again, to create a new wide-ranging and enthusiastic public debate on the correctional services. It was in this connection, that he therefore wished to learn from the experiences of the previous Ministers of Justice, and to hear any reflections they may have regarding the need for future changes to the country's correctional services.

A number of well-known problems
Mona Røkke nodded in recognition of a number of current well-known problems, which she also experienced during her period of office. It was during her period of government (1981-85) that one began to register numbers of convicted persons waiting to serve their sentences, and this has been a recurring problem ever since. In her opinion, important preventive measures should be implemented locally within council nurseries, schools and child care services.

Think-tank
In order to generate new ideas, Knut Storberget intends to establish 5-6 "think-tanks", consisting of people with significantly perceptive abilities, who will come together for the thinking exercise at the lighthouse on Bastøy island prison. Among themes he is especially concerned with are:

• How can we achieve reductions in the number of re-offenders?
• Do we need more alternative forms of punishment/sentencing?
• How must we achieve a good level of security both for employees, inmates and the public?
• New content in the period of custody (more education, health, cultural activities)?
• How should we make use of the probation services?

The meeting ended with a tour of the prison during which Knut Storberget received valuable input, both from prison employees and inmates.