53
Results in 2015
Lillestrøm Police Custody Facility
After a visit in February 2015, the Ombudsman recommended that the police should ensure that all
detainees receive written information about their rights in a language they understand, in addition to
verbal information. It was also recommended that the police should also establish a procedure to ensure
that all detainees are asked to sign a declaration confirming that they have been informed about their
rights in a language they understand.
››
››Romerike Police District has informed the Ombudsman that detainees are now given written information
about their rights when they arrive at the custody facility. A declaration to be signed by the detainees will
also be drafted.
The use of security cells and restraint beds
Bergen Prison
After a visit in November 2014, the Ombudsman recommended that administrative decisions should
always be issued on the use of a security cell and restraint bed, and that the decision should always
specify which less invasive measures have been attempted or found to be inadequate. The supervision
log should also clearly specify the inmate’s name and the time the stay in the security cell or restraint
bed commenced and concluded.
››
››The prison has devised a new procedure for issuing administrative decisions and keeping of the
supervision log. More formal training will also be given to everyone entitled to make an administrative
decision, which will focus on detention in a security cell, the grounds for detention, administrative
decisions on and implementing stays in security cells and the use of restraint beds.
Bjørgvin Prison’s Juvenile Unit
After visits in February and April 2015, the Ombudsman pointed out that the use of security cells for
minors is a very invasive measure that has the potential to cause considerable damage. It should only
be used if absolutely necessary, and for the shortest possible time. The Juvenile Unit’s security cell was
yet to be approved at the time of the NPM’s visit and had not therefore been used. If the security cell is
used, the Ombudsman emphasised that the person detained should be under continuous supervision.
The supervision log should clearly specify that continuous assessments are made of whether there are
grounds for continuing the measure.
››
››The prison has devised its own action cards describing concrete procedures for following up inmates
in the security cell. The cards describe, among other things, who has the decision-making competence,
requirements of the grounds for the decision, the requirement to enter information in the supervision log,
and clarification that the staff must maintain continuous supervision of inmates staying in the security
cell and that the grounds for upholding the measure must be continuously assessed.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents