126 ANNUAL REPORT 2017 That is clear after the Ministry of Environment 22 August and Food has replied to the Parliamentary No criticism of ministry for with­ holding exclusive story from other journalists Ombudsman that the standard terms of new contracts between universities and authorities do not restrict the individual researcher’s free­ dom of expression or impose any requirements of If an authority has released documents to a confidentiality over and above the requirements journalist for an exclusive story, other journalists which are laid down by the general legislative are entitled to the same documents if they ask provisions. for them. However, it is a different matter if the exclusive story was given verbally. That follows 7 August from a recent statement from the Ombudsman. Authorities must know the facts before making a decision 1 September A man with a disability applied for payment of the price differential between a car with front-wheel drive and one with four-wheel drive in order that Ombudsman launches special page dedicated to activities in taxation area on his website he would be better able to carry out his job. His The Parliamentary Ombudsman regularly pub­ application was refused. However, the National lishes statements and news stories on his web­ Social Appeals Board had not responded when site. The Ombudsman has now launched a special the man had clearly pointed out doubts about page on his website with examples of concluded the correctness of information in the case. Ombudsman cases in the area of taxation and an outline of pending investigations concerning ‘It’s a basic principle in public administration that tax matters opened on the Ombudsman’s own an authority is required to investigate a case initiative. adequately so that it can make the right decision. As I see it, that did not happen in this case’, says 5 September Ombudsman Jørgen Steen Sørensen. Ombudsman raises questions about treatment of 15- to 17-year-old inmates in institutions under the Prison and Probation Service 21 August Prisons tighten up on use of security cells During a monitoring visit by Ombudsman staff Being placed in a security cell and strapped to to the local prison in Kolding, a young inmate a bed is one of the most intrusive actions to told the Ombudsman staff that he thought he which a citizen may be subjected by the state. was ‘going insane’. The young inmate had had to For this reason, all the required procedures must spend about 45 days alone in his cell – except for be followed, the Ombudsman has emphasised four days in company with another inmate. in several contexts. The Prison and Probation Service has now taken a number of initiatives to ensure that the rules on placements in security cells are observed. ... The monitoring visit to the local prison in Kolding and another monitoring visit to the unit for young offenders of the local Copenhagen prison Vestre Fængsel have caused the Ombudsman to open an investigation of the conditions for 15- to 17-yearold inmates in institutions under the Prison and Probation Service.