Suicide rates soar among inmates in Norway as mental health crisis deepens

Since January 2021, 26 individuals have taken their own lives in Norwegian prisons. “I chose this room because it gets sun and you can see the moon,” says Trond, a prisoner at Ringerike Prison. He points to the small cell adorned with his own paintings, a small easel, two guitars, a desk, and a bed.

“I have spent many evenings playing guitar and painting. When you’re incarcerated, you should find something constructive to focus on,” he emphasizes. Trond, not his real name, has attempted suicide three times prior to his incarceration. He acknowledges that the thought has crossed his mind during his time in prison but has chosen to persevere.

Suicide is the leading cause of death among inmates in Norway, which has nearly four times the suicide rate per 100,000 incarcerated individuals compared to the European average. Eirik Bergstedt, the prison chief, notes the challenges faced by staff in preventing such tragedies.

Bergstedt suggests solutions include increasing psychiatric bed capacity and shifting focus to the reintegration of inmates into society. He highlights that severely mentally ill individuals cannot be rehabilitated effectively within the prison system.

Earlier this year, prison psychologists raised alarms about a drastic rise in inmates suffering from severe mental illnesses, indicating a worsening situation. Tragically, seven inmates have died by suicide at Ringerike Prison in the last 15 years. One case involved a suicide in the isolation unit as recently as April.

Trond believes that improving mental health support and increasing staff could help reduce suicide rates in prisons. He stresses the critical need for trustworthy individuals to confide in, highlighting the unique confidentiality of conversations with prison chaplains.