the police authority
28
hourly basis. In Arvika and Kristinehamn, no further training is arranged,
and at the police custody facility in Karlskoga, the guards are not offered any
further training at all. The police custody facilities are used relatively infrequently and only when necessary, which means that the guards do not work
on a regular basis. Several of the guards expressed a desire for further training. The Parliamentary Ombudsman stated that the Police Authority should
ensure that the guards can maintain their skills and competence, for example
through regular training sessions, and that they should have adequate support
in the form of local, written routines.41
3.2 Cases where responses from the Police Authority
have been requested
Following the inspections of the police custody facilities in Karlskrona, Luleå
and Växjö, the Parliamentary Ombudsman has requested that the Police
Authority respond with information on how it has handled certain issues that
have been raised. Such responses have been requested in respect of shortcomings in the physical environment etc. The Parliamentary Ombudsman has
requested responses on the following issues:
• The design and set up of cells (the police custody facility in Luleå).
• The environment in cells (the police custody facility in Karlskrona).
• Natural light entry into cells (the police custody facility in Luleå).
• The design of police custody premises (the police custody facility in Växjö).
• The environment in an exercise yard (the police custody facility in Luleå).
• Detainees’ access to bedding (the police custody facility in Karlskrona).
In compiling this report, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen have taken decisions on all the responses received.
Physical design of cells
During the inspection of the police custody facility in Luleå, it emerged that
the fixed furnishings in the cells had been used for acts of self-harm on a large
number of occasions. Following the inspection, the Parliamentary Ombudsman emphasised the importance of the Police Authority drawing lessons from
the experiences at this facility, and using these lessons in its continued work to
prevent suicide and other acts of self-harm. The Parliamentary Ombudsman
requested that the Police Authority respond detailing the measures taken.42
In its response, the Police Authority stated it had initiated a national review
of the furnishings within its detention cells and will change its premises with
41 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 3 and 12, ref. no. O 47-2019, report p. 2, ref. no. O 48-2019 and report p. 2 and 3, ref.
no. O 49-2019.
42 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 10 and 11, ref. no. O 2-2019.
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