16 opcat inspections 2015–2017 OPCAT inspections One of the most important elements of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s operations is inspections of locations where individuals are deprived of their liberty. The inspection activity for the 2011–2014 period was planned with a purpose to visit locations other than those recently inspected by the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, to spread inspections geographically evenly and for remand prisons and police custody facilities to be prioritised. The planning of the inspections during 2015–2017 has partly taken place on the basis of other prerequisites. The ambition has been to have a geographical spread and for a certain percentage of the inspections to be at locations that have not been inspected for a long time. During this period, the thematic focus has, however, had an effect on the choice of subject of inspection. As, for example, to target women deprived of their liberty, which had great significance for the implementation of the inspection activity in 2015. That year all prison establishments that receive women were inspected (see also Section 4). The observations made during 2011-2014 have, in some cases, also affected the choice of inspections, and in addition to this, there have also been a number of follow-up inspections during 2015–2017. Working method As a general rule, the OPCAT unit is assigned by an ombudsman to carry out an inspection. Sometimes the ombudsman concerned leads the inspection. An inspection may be either announced or unannounced. Lessons learned from 2011–2014 was that an announced inspection can be performed effectively. In order to increase the credibility of the inspection activity it was decided to increase the percentage of unannounced inspections in the coming period. During the period 2011–2014, approximately a third of the inspections were unannounced. During 2015–2017, this percentage has increased to almost half (44 percent) of all inspections. Observations made, in connection with an inspection, are documented in a report and submitted to the ombudsman responsible. If an issue that particularly needs to be investigated is noted in the report, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen will take a decision to open an enquiry (see also Appendix C). An ombudsman usually state their opinions in the report on observations made. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen can also ask the authority to report back on what actions that have been taken on a specific issue. The reports have shown to be an effective tool for following up on the impact of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s comments and recommendations. The opportunity to request a report was exercised, particularly during the latter part of the period.