general observations in connection with inspections
36
nel at youth facilities exercise, over children and youths, will be investigated
in a complaint case.46 During an inspection of two LVM residential homes,
it emerged that there were different interpretations among the personnel
regarding how frequently inmates in isolation were to be supervised. This is a
matter that the management of the homes should clarify, e.g., in a procedural
document. Certain shortcomings in how supervision was performed were
also noted and recorded, and the residential home was so forth recommended
to take action.47
The physical environment
During an inspection of an youth facility, it was noted that the premises
were neglected. The rooms where inmates spent time were scribbled on, that
suggested the staff had stopped keeping the premises in good conditions.
The Parliamentary Ombudsmen emphasised that the need for radical improvement of the premises does not exclude cleaning the premises. The management of the residential home was encouraged to ensure that the premises
were cleaned regularly and the graffiti removed.48
At another residential home, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen noted a positive aspect, namely that measures had been taken to counteract the negative
effects of the operation being placed at a prison establishment.49 One LVM
residential home was encouraged to equip its exercise yard with a shelter, with
reference to recommendations provided by the CPT, to a psychiatric clinic.
The Parliamentary Ombudsmen also questioned the fact that the same LVM
residential home lacked equipment for the physically disabled. In the absence
of such equipment, the personnel lifted a wheelchair-bound inmate in and
out of a wheelchair. This procedure was seen as not just a risk but could also,
in the opinion of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, infringe on human dignity.50
Conclusions LVU and LVM residential homes
The inspections of LVU and LVM residential homes carried out since 2011
show that care is conducted in different ways, and on different conditions. In
several cases, the homes have no premises for, e.g., care in isolation.
There are also differences in the local procedures. Another reason for the
differences in the care is the difficulty the homes have drawing a clear line
between care in isolation and keeping an inmate in isolation. There are therefore reasons for continuing to monitor how SiS deals with questions regarding
requirements for basic legal security when an inmate is cared for in isolation
46 Ref. nos. 5903-2017 and 5902-2017.
47 Ref. nos. 2514-2017 and 2515-2017.
48 Ref. no. 5672-2017.
49 Ref. no. 5903-2017.
50 Ref. no. 2515-2017.
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