Anders Breivik’s Exclusive Living Conditions Upset Fellow Prisoners

Inmates of Skien prison, where Anders Breivik is serving his term for his 2011 terror attack, are protesting against his solitary confinement. Norwegian media report that the inmates are dissatisfied with the exclusive living conditions granted to Breivik.

Anders Breivik’s fellow inmates expressed strong dissatisfaction with Breivik’s exclusive living conditions. They insist that the mass murderer should be released from isolation because of immense resources required for his upkeep.

“He must be released to the others, he is just an ordinary prisoner,” says one of the inmates of Skien prison who wished to remain anonymous. “What we are mostly talking about is the economic [issue] around it. It really goes beyond the rest of us. He <…> has a whole department for himself, with five empty cells around, while there are cuts and reductions everywhere else.”

Administration of Skien prison and the Norwegian Correctional Services hold another view on the problem. It is stated that the prison receives additional funds for Breivik’s confinement and therefore “it should not come at the expense of other inmates”.

Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in custody on July 22, 2011. He has access to newspapers, TV, and console games. Although he is banned from using a PC, he has a typewriter at his disposition. Breivik is also prohibited from contacting fellow inmates or anyone outside the prison. Earlier this week it has been reported that Breivik is determined to go to court against the state to get his isolation lifted. In particular, Breivik wants to be granted the right to carry on correspondence.