ABOUT OSLO PRISON

A short presentation of the prison and its different departments…

RECEPTION AND REMAND UNIT
(Department B).
Everyone required to spend a period of custody at Oslo Prison, either on remand or as convicted prisoners, must start their period of custody in this unit.
All functions responsible for registration, reception, introduction and placement of each individual inmate are situated in D Block. All newly arrived prisoners are subjected to a thorough examination during their initial period of stay. This is conducted based on cooperation between the prison and the health and school authorities. Remand inmates who are subjected to restrictions (prohibitions and controls) are accommodated at this unit. This is because of the necessity to undertake examinations and to support inmates through crisis management during their stay. Important functions of D Block are risk and needs assessments for new inmates.

Following this first phase, the majority of remand prisoners are located in A Block, where there are good opportunities through a differentiated range of activities for inmates, including a wider range of work and educational activities and different leisure time pursuits.

A Block is also linked to the prison's security department. The security department has connections with Department 1, which focuses on inmates with psychiatric problems.

The unit also offers special daytime activities directed at inmates with an especially difficult period of custody. One of these activities is 'MASH' (in Norwegian: 'Mangfoldig Aktivisering Som Hjelper', which in English means: "Diverse Activation that Helps"). The 'MASH' resource is actually offered to inmates in all parts of the prison, but especially for inmates who isolate themselves.

MAKIS is another specialist activity offered by Department 1. It consists of: "Motivating, Activating, Specifying/Creating, Individualization and Cooperation". MAKIS is an occupational programme designed for inmates with a difficult remand situation.

The unit also offers a voluntary programme for dealing with stress. It is especially suitable for inmates on remand. Themes covered include information related to conversations in connection with reception into prison, crisis management, expression of feelings and reactions, relaxation techniques and general stress handling techniques.

D Block: The Reception and Remand Unit.

A Block is able to offer a more diverse range of
initiatives for inmates.

Department 1 in D Block.

RESIDENTIAL UNITS
(Department A).
This unit has 151 inmates. It consists of three types of departments: restrictive departments, basic departments and contract departments. In basic departments inmates have the right to basic work, school and leisure-time pursuits. Some departments also offer program activities. All types of departments have a personal officer scheme and all provide opportunities for forward planning.

Departments B-1 and C-1 are 'restrictive' departments.
Inmates in these departments are either here because they have experienced or demonstrated difficulties while located in basic departments, or because they do not wish to be located on departments in the regular company of other inmates. Both these departments cooperate closely with a Craft Shop linked to the Activity Unit and with the Leisure Department (A-1), where dedicated activities are arranged for this group of inmates.

Department A-2 is a basic department with a good range of activities for all inmates. Inmates in this department have mainly foreign citizenship, and are awaiting deportation after their stay at Oslo Prison.

Department B-2 is also a basic department. It offers a special program for inmates wishing to do something about their drug or alcohol problems.

Department C-2 is a contracts department. It offers a program for inmates who are well motivated to maintain an alcohol and drug free existence. The program is entitled 'Brottsbrytet' and its content is goal-oriented.

Department A-3 is a basic department with a diverse range of work and leisure-time activities.

Department B-3 is referred to as the 'Senior Department'. It offers senior employees and senior inmates a somewhat quieter and slower tempo and a mutually supportive atmosphere.

Department C-3 is a contracts department. The department's name is 'TOG Department'. In English, the 'TOG' title means "Initiatives for Recurring Offenders". The department offers a program for those recurring offenders that are motivated to do something positive with their life situation. There is a special focus on preparation for release and post-release, and motivational tasks in connection with transferral to treatment, to halfway houses (hostels) or to close monitoring from the probation service.

Department A consists of thee cell wings built in a
star formation.

One of the three wings, each of which consists of
three stories.

STIFINNERN (Pathfinders).
(Department C).
A voluntary program for inmates with alcohol, drug or other dependency problems.

'Stifinnern' was established as a project based on joint cooperation between Oslo Prison and 'Tyrilistiftelsen' ("The Tyrili Foundation") in 1992. The project represented an attempt to deal with a strong increase in the number of inmates with drug or alcohol-related problems. In 1995 the project was given permanent status. Following moves to different locations and re-organizations' Stifinnern' is currently housed in a dedicated building (Department C) in Oslo Prison.

What is 'Stifinner’n'?
'Stifinner’n' is a voluntary scheme for inmates with alcohol or drug related problems and who wish to use their period of prison custody to embark on a change process. Special emphasis is placed on creating an alcohol and drug-free environment with room for learning, growth and development. 'Stifinner’n' is run by Oslo Prison and 'The Tyrili Foundation'.

Who can apply to 'Stifinner’n'?
Male inmates with alcohol or drug related problems, from the whole country of Norway, are able to apply for a place at 'Stifinner’n'. At the time of entry it is desirable that inmates have a minimum of 8 months left prior to the anticipated release date. The inmate must himself wish to participate in a treatment program after his stay at 'Stifinner’n'. 'Stifinner’n' also accepts inmates currently participating in LAR treatment programs. All applications are dealt with individually and applicants considered for acceptance will be interviewed.

Program Content
'Stifinner`n' is divided into two phases where the main focus is on making the individual inmate aware of his alcohol or drug and dependency problem(s). Among tools and methods applied are:

Conversation groups, individual conversations, 'Stifinner' Education, physical activities, social training, periods of leave from prison and accompanied trips/visits outside of prison.

Individual investigations and preparations for further treatment. 'Stifinner’n' places emphasis on fellowship and group processes in order to help each individual with his own development. We expect all participants to take responsibility for contributing to a good fellowship.

'Stifinner' participants must be willing to develop their abilities and opportunities in order to:

• Learn to take responsibility for own decisions
• Manage to face hardship and challenges without escaping to alcohol or drug related stimulation.
• Believe that it is useful to change oneself.

Participation in 'Stifinner’n' qualifies for an evaluation for transferral to treatment afterwards.

Application:
Send us a personal letter telling us briefly about yourself. The application should contain the following points:

• Brief history of your alcohol and/or drug and crime problems.
• Work, period of schooling and leisure-time pursuits.
• What kind of relations you have with your family.
• The length of your prison sentence, how long you have served, when you are eligible to apply for leave and any unsettled matters.
• Home address.
• Future plans.
• Anything else you fell may be relevant to mention.

If it is difficult to write an application, or if you are wondering about anything in particular, please contact us or request help either from your personal officer or the prison social worker.

Send your application through the established channels to:

Stifinner’n
Postboks 9292, Grønland
0134 Oslo, Norway

'Stifinnern' ("Pathfinders") is situated in its own
separate building, located between Dept. D and
Dept. B.

At 'Stifinnern' ("Pathfinders") the rooms are
somewhat bigger and more comfortable than in
the rest of the prison.

At the Craft Shop inmates are able to produce
articles made of textiles, glass and ceramics.

The Carpentry Shop.

The Metal Workshop ('Smia').