Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik threatened to go on hunger strike for better video games and other perks to alleviate his "torture"-like prison conditions, in a letter received by AFP Friday.
The right-wing extremist – who killed 77 people in a bombing and shooting rampage on July 22, 2011 – enclosed a typed list of 12 demands sent to prison authorities in November.
If you aren't aware, Norway has what is probably the most generous and lenient penal system in the entire world. For killing 77 people, Breivik is serving a 21-year sentence that can be extended for bad behavior. He is being held in Ila Prison, which is Norway's highest security prison. Usually, it gives prisoners access to a gym, a library, various workshops, and a considerable number of sponsored leisure activities. However, because of his crime, Breivik has to be kept away from the other prisoners, so the prison can't give him much in the way of access to the common areas. In compensation, the prison authorities gave him full run of three cells, one for sleeping, one for gym equipment, and one with a desk and laptop computer. He's allowed outside an hour every day. Because of this, he is complaining that he is subject to aggravated torture. Like this:
Norwegian tabloid VG, which said it had acquired a copy of the letter, quoted Breivik as saying he was allowed to use only a soft and bendable safety pen described by its manufacturer as "stab-resistant" because it yields at the slightest pressure and cannot be used as a weapon. Breivik was seen making avid notes with it during his 10-week trial at the Oslo District Court that ended in August.
He has said he wants to write books in prison, but claims the special pen cramps his hand, describing it as "an almost indescribable manifestation of sadism," VG reported.
