NORWEGIAN PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN National Preventive Mechanism ANNUAL REPORT 2016 32 A review of administrative decisions on use of the restraint bed showed that, on one occasion, an inmate was restrained for almost 42 hours. The prison, in accordance with the regulations, had sent a request to the Correctional Service Region East for continued use of the restraint bed after 24 hours. The fact that someone was strapped to the restraint bed for such a long period is nonetheless a cause for serious concern. Several administrative decisions were lacking in relation to exclusion from company. If inmates have not received written notification of decisions and the grounds for the measure, it constitutes a serious breach of their legal protection. The inmates did not have access to a female doctor, unless it concerned gynaecological examinations outside the prison. International standards state that, in principle, women in prison shall have the option of choosing a female doctor. The exercise yard appeared small and poorly suited for types of activities and exercise other than ball games. After the visit Following the visit, the prison has opened a new garden that forms part of the exercise yard. This has increased the size of the exercise yard by incorporating an area with plants, seats and walking areas. The prison has established new procedures to ensure that individual assessments are carried out of the need for full body searches before confinement to a security cell, and that the clothes the inmate has access to during confinement to the security cell are registered in the supervision log. The prison has also stated that it has changed its procedures to ensure that two officers are always present in the security section when a restraint bed is in use, one of whom must be a female officer. Vadsø Prison 10-11 May 2016 Vadsø Prison's total capacity is 39 places, divided between 33 high security places and six lower security places. The visit did not include the lower security section. Main findings The prison administration, prison officers and health service appeared to be working expediently to safeguard the safety and basic needs of individuals. A clear majority of the inmates gave the staff very positive feedback. The inmates interviewed by the NPM stated that they felt physically safe and secure in the prison. The inmates were also very positive to the follow-up they received from the nurses. The nurses had particularly close follow-up of inmates in solitary confinement. Several felt that the waiting time for an appointment with a doctor or dentist was long. The security cells did not have clocks, making time orientation difficult for the inmates. Body searches involving the full removal of clothing were routinely performed, including in cases where the measure was not based on a risk of self-harm or suicide. Inmates were also occasionally naked in the security cell. A review of administrative decisions regarding the use of security cells and exclusion from the company of others showed that the prison should tighten up its practice on certain points. The use of security cells shall only take place when deemed absolutely necessary. In general, the administrative decisions were composed in a satisfactory manner, but the prison did not make administrative decisions when discontinuing exclusion from the company of others. Vadsø Prison had a high proportion of inmates that were engaged in