Social Services for Inmates

Inmates can apply to the social services in the municipality where they resided before incarceration for financial social assistance and other services. It is expected that they first check whether the correctional services can cover their needs.

Family members may have their travel expenses covered for prison visits if they do not have the financial means to cover the costs themselves. Upon release, individuals can apply for services in the municipality where they choose to reside.

The services may include financial counseling and support for expenses such as:

• clothing
• glasses and other assistive devices
• dental care
• food and lodging during temporary leave

Upon release, social services can provide:

• clothing and shoes
• temporary housing
• assistance in securing permanent housing

Services are granted based on an individual assessment.

This is a legally mandated service. See in particular:

• Barnevernsloven Kapittel 3 Hjelpetiltak
• Sosialtjenesteloven §§ 17, 18 og 19
• Lov om kommunenes ansvar på det boligsosiale feltet.

Forvaltningsloven
Lov om kommunenes ansvar på det boligsosiale feltet
Barnevernsloven
Sosialtjenesteloven

You can contact the municipality where you lived before your arrest. If you did not reside in Norway at the time of your arrest, you can contact the municipality where you were detained.

A decision will be made regarding your application. The decision will indicate whether you have been granted the service and what the service includes.

The municipality is obligated to process the case as soon as possible. If the case cannot be decided within one month, you must receive a written explanation of the delay and an estimated timeline for when a decision will be made.

You can appeal the decision within three weeks of receiving it. The appeal should be sent to the authority that made the initial decision. In your appeal, specify what you want to be changed and provide a justification. The municipality can assist with guidance.

The appeal authority is the County Governor (Statsforvalteren). Before the appeal is forwarded, the municipal authority that made the decision will reassess whether there are grounds to change it.