Visits in 2015 39 Findings The NPM examined the police’s handling of serious incidents and use of coercive measures. There had been no suicides at the custody facility, but several attempted suicides had been prevented during the past six months. On the whole, the procedures for physical supervision were satisfactory. A document review revealed that the results of the supervision of detainees at risk could be better documented, however. The information indicated that the police have clear procedures for the use of handcuffs, and that body searches are carried out based on an assessment in each case by an officer of the same gender. Recommendations were made to improve the procedures for carrying out body searches. Ålesund police custody facility The number of breaches of the police custody holding period has been relatively low in Sunnmøre Police District in recent years, even though the figures vary significantly. Nevertheless, a review of cases where the holding period exceeded two days (48 hours) showed inadequate documentation of measures to procure prison places. The work on procuring prison places should start as soon as possible and the measures should be documented. The available information indicated that the police implement accommodating measures to combat isolation, particularly in the form of frequent trips to the exercise yard, in a few cases also in the company of other detainees. It was good that the police seemed to have a low threshold for escorting detainees to the accident and emergency unit, but this entails stringent requirements for health personnel to be aware of their role. The only task of health personnel is to examine the patient’s health status. When examinations are initiated by the police, there is an increased risk that the examinations become ’conveyor belt’ decisions with a shift in focus from examination of the patient to ’clearance for remanding in custody’. This can cause other health needs the patient might have to be overlooked, and undermine the relationship of trust between the patient and health personnel. It was found during the visit that both the police and the accident and emergency unit should do more to prevent a confusion of their roles. A review of the custody logs revealed examples of inmates having been ’examined by a doctor as okay for remand in custody’. Interviews with the accident and emergency unit’s management indicated that health examinations of escorted detainees were perceived as expert assignments in which the police were seen as the client. This is an unfortunate state of affairs. The accident and emergency unit also lacked a procedure for dealing with suspected disproportionate use of force or injuries to detainees caused by the police. It was also pointed out that the police could improve their procedures for ensuring that detainees are informed about their rights at the earliest opportunity. The air quality was highly unsatisfactory in several of the cells. The cells were painted in a dark grey colour and most of the cells lacked adequate colour contrast between the floor and walls. The cells had no clocks or direct daylight. The available information indicates that the detainees are offered an opportunity to spend time