Norway chartered private flight to move inmates for 730,000 kr

Twelve inmates were transferred from Kongsvinger prison to Vadsø prison in early June using a chartered private flight, Dagbladet reports after obtaining cost details.

The Norwegian Correctional Service (KDI) arranged the flight from Gardermoen to Vadsø for security and economic reasons, according to senior advisor Mari Bræin Faaberg. A direct flight reduced the need for stopovers and required fewer staff for the operation.

Costs included 402,000 kr for the private flight, 241,442 kr for staffing and planning, and 43,000 kr for bus transport between prisons and airports. Additional expenses covered return travel for staff and meals, bringing the total to 729,543 kr.

The inmates, all foreign nationals serving unconditional sentences, were moved to free up space for pretrial detainees in eastern Norway, where capacity is strained due to the closure of Oslo prison ahead of its demolition. A new facility is expected to open in 2031.

Stig Storvik, regional director for the Correctional Service in eastern Norway, stated that chartering a flight was the most efficient option, allowing the entire transfer to be completed in one day. He noted that regular commercial flights would have been more expensive and less secure.

The Correctional Service has previously used private flights for inmate transfers, including during a 2015–2019 arrangement with Dutch prisons to ease overcrowding. With seven out of ten pretrial detentions occurring in eastern Norway, further transfers may be necessary to prioritize inmates needing proximity to police stations and courts.

Storvik confirmed that the service is now exploring closer cooperation with police for inmate transport, including a proposed joint transport service.