opcat inspections 2011–2014
25
If a woman deprived of her liberty is asked to remove all items of clothing
from her upper body in front of personnel, this is to be equated with a superficial body search. Pursuant to Chapter 4, Section 7 of the Act on Detention,
a body search of a woman may not, except for the taking of urine, breath,
saliva, sweat, blood or hair samples, be carried out or witnessed by anyone
other than a woman, a doctor or a registered nurse.
The ombudsman presumed that the police authority would review its procedures in order to to ensure that searches of female inmates are no longer
performed in areas that are subject to camera surveillance, but in another
suitable place such as an empty cell.
Cell standard4
Observations have been made in conjunction with several OPCAT inspections
about an inadequate standard as regards cell design, particularly in terms of
hygiene and natural lighting.
The ombudsman have requested that the police service review its procedures
in order to avoid the placement of persons deprived of their liberty in cells
that have not been cleaned or have not been cleaned in a satisfactory manner.
Some of the police detention facilities have been asked to review a procedure
that results in inmates not having had access to sheets and pillow cases and
to take action to increase the amount of natural light in cells. In the record of
the inspection of the police cell block in Norrköping, the ombudsmen stated
that the police authority should avoid placing apprehended/arrested persons
in sobering-up cells as these cells are not equipped with a table and chair. The
consequence of such a placement is that apprehended/arrested persons have
to sit on the floor to eat their meals.
Inadequate documentation in the supervision of inmates etc.5
The Care of Intoxicated Persons Act (1976:511) contains provisions on how
often an inmate is to be attended to. The police service also has a praxis
whereby inmates are attended to at least once an hour. The ombudsmen have
expressed themselves concerning inadequate documentation and in some
cases inadequate supervision of inmates in police detention facilities.
During several inspections, it has been noted when inmates are supervised,
their status is rarely documented, for example in terms of whether the inmate
is asleep or awake. Documenting information of this kind makes it possible to
subsequently review what has happened to the inmate. This documentation is
also important for other personnel involved in the supervision of the inmate.
According to the ombudsman, it is important that the police service ensures
that there are clear procedures for taking notes when supervising inmates.
4 Ref. no. 6385-2013, ref. no. 626-2014, ref. no. 3257-2014
5 Ref. no. 1997-2013, ref. no. 4111-2013, ref. no. 2574-2013, ref. no. 2187-2014, ref. no. 3284-2014
The Ombudsman for Children
The Ombudsman for Children in
Sweden submitted a report in
2013. The report Från insidan is a
review of how human rights are
respected when children (under
18) are suspected of crimes and
deprived of their liberty. The Ombudsman for Children in Sweden
visited a total of 13 police detention facilities and remand prisons
around the country. Among other
things, the agency was critical of
how it is not possible to obtain
statistics on how many children
are placed in police cell blocks
and the average duration a child’s
is deprived of their liberty. The
Ombudsman for Children in Sweden states that its review shows
systematic and very far-reaching
shortcomings in the observance of
the fundamental human rights of
children deprived of their liberty.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents