62 Barkåker had a separate ‘isolation room’ in the institution’s administration building. The room resembled a police custody cell and came across as frightening and unfit for safeguarding children and adolescents’ safety, integrity and dignity. It was only to be used in situations of acute danger but had in the past 18 months also been used for other purposes. During the visit, we found that several adolescents with serious mental health problems had been placed at Barkåker in the last few years. Several of these adolescents had stayed at Barkåker for a longer period than what is recommended for emergency institutions. Several of them harmed both themselves and others, which resulted in coercion being used extensively in relation to some of these adolescents. Buskerud and Vestfold Emergency Youth Centre, Barkåker NORWEGIAN PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN National Preventive Mechanism ANNUAL REPORT 2019 The management at Barkåker confirmed that they felt they were under pressure from the police and other parties concerning the institution’s use of ­coercion. We found an example from the past year of an adolescent whose electronic means of communication and freedom of movement were restricted, and the justification given in the ­administrative decision was primarily that the police wanted to protect others outside the ­institution. This is not in line with the Rights Regulation. The Ombudsman has requested an update on how Barkåker is following up the recommendations by 15 January 2020.