The National Ombudsman of Norway has raised concerns about the lack of adequate healthcare provided to inmates following visits to 15 prisons between 2023 and 2025. The Ombudsman’s report points out that more than half of the prisons surveyed did not systematically conduct suicide risk assessments, which is critically important given that inmates often face elevated risks due to poor mental health and substance abuse. Ombudsman Hanne Harlem emphasizes that this oversight is particularly serious in the light of these challenges, leading to potentially tragic outcomes.

Moreover, the report details numerous instances where inmates with suicide risks and substantial health and care needs were not appropriately supported. One particularly distressing case highlighted by the Ombudsman involved an inmate who required assistance for basic needs such as eating, drinking, changing, dressing, bathing, and using the restroom. The inmate was left unattended for several hours in their own waste due to the health department being closed, which starkly illustrates the dire situation and lack of resources within the prison health system.

These findings raise significant questions about the human rights of inmates and the responsibilities of correctional institutions to ensure their health and safety. The report's implications may prompt calls for reform in Norway's prison healthcare services to better address inmates' mental and physical health needs, ensuring they receive the necessary care and oversight as mandated by the law.