NORWEGIAN PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN National Preventive Mechanism ANNUAL REPORT 2016 56 Clocks in security cells Finding and recommendation Following visits to Vadsø Prison and Kongsvinger Prison, the Parliamentary Ombudsman pointed out that there were no clocks on the walls in security cells. Losing sense of time can increase the mental strain of being confined. Inmates may become disoriented after a short period of time in isolation. It should be possible for them to know what time it is without asking. The Parliamentary Ombudsman therefore recommended that clocks be installed in the security cells. ›› Follow-up Vadsø Prison has stated that clocks will be installed in both security cells. ›› ››Kongsvinger Prison has already put up a wall clock in the prison’s security cell. Design of cells and exercise yards Finding and recommendation Following the visit to Ålesund police custody facility, the Parliamentary Ombudsman recommended that the police investigate how the cells could be upgraded to have a more humane feel. The cells were painted in a dark grey colour and most of the cells lacked colour contrast between the floor and walls. The Parliamentary Ombudsman also suggested that the police consider renovating the atrium to prevent the general public from being able to see in; such improvements should not come at the expense of detainees’ access to daylight. ›› Follow-up The police in Ålesund has painted the custody facility in contrasting colours to improve the detainees’ sense of orientation. The police have also procured a simple pavilion to improve the atrium as an exercise area and to shield the space from outside view. ›› Confidential communication with health personnel Finding and recommendation Following the visit to Kongsvinger Prison, the Parliamentary Ombudsman has recommended that the prison, in consultation with the prison health personnel, make sure that all enquiries to the health department are treated confidentially. The staff should ensure that requests for medical consultations are placed in a closed envelope and that such envelopes are readily available to all inmates. ›› Follow-up Kongsvinger Prison has made envelopes available to all inmates via section officers. To increase awareness about placing requests for medical consultations in an envelope, the request forms state that the inmates can ask for an envelope if they so wish. This also applies to requests for services other than medical consultations, if the inmates would like the request to be treated confidentially. The request forms have been altered in cooperation with the health department and were taken into use on 5 April 2016. ››