Ila prison inmates told to order pharmacy items online without internet access

Inmates at Ila prison and detention centre were instructed to order pharmacy items by referencing product numbers from Apotek 1’s website, despite having no internet access, Dagbladet reports.

A notice posted inside the facility directed inmates to provide product numbers when purchasing health items, assuming they could retrieve these from the pharmacy’s online catalogue. However, inmates at Ila have no general internet access, only limited access to selected news sites and public services via KOMPASS, the Norwegian Correctional Service’s controlled digital platform. Pharmacy websites are not included.

“How on earth are we supposed to do that? It’s completely impossible for us,” a remand prisoner told the newspaper. He also criticised the requirement that inmates must now pay for such purchases themselves, whereas costs were previously covered. Inmates in the high-security prison receive a daily allowance of 88 kroner.

“I think it’s absolutely appalling that we don’t get health items covered. It’s downright shameful. For many here, these are essential items they can’t afford,” he said.

Prescription items ordered by a doctor are covered by the prison health service and supplied through Apotek 1, according to Øyvind Myklebust, acting head of the health service at Ila. However, non-prescription pharmacy items must be ordered separately via email, with two to ten such requests received weekly. These are processed once a week, and inmates are billed directly, with costs deducted from their personal funds.

Myklebust acknowledged the notice was issued after the health service assumed inmates could easily obtain product numbers from Apotek 1’s website, based on past practice. “It has since become clear that this information was incorrect. We regret that this was not clarified with the prison before the notice was distributed,” he said.

The health service is now working with the prison to find a solution that allows the service to continue within existing constraints. If no satisfactory solution is found, the arrangement may be discontinued.

Christian Fjæra Eng, administrative director at Ila prison, confirmed that discussions are underway with the health service to address the issue.