2019 | During the inspection of the prison Västervik Norra, shortcomings in the physical environment such as worn premises, that all cells lacked toilets and that some of the cells lacked sinks were noted. During the inspection, the planning for an extensive renovation of the prison was in progress. In connection with this, the cells will be equipped, inter alia, with toilets. However, it will take several years before the work is completed. Until the renovation is completed, the detainees will be dependent on staff unlocking the cell door for toilet visits at night. In conversations that the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s employees had with detainees, it emerged that they fulfilled their needs in assigned “urinal bottle” and in waste bins.
Recommendation: Following the inspection, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen stated that the distribution of such urinal bottles sends a signal to the detainees that they must first and foremost fulfil their needs in the cell, and that it can be questioned whether this is compatible with the Prisons Act’s provision that each detainee must be treated with respect for human dignity. Pending the work of improving the physical environment in the prison, in the view of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, the Prison and Probation Service should take the necessary measures to ensure that detainees have access to a toilet after being locked up for the night. One measure could be to increase staffing at night. | Report details |