the police authority 22 in Luleå, and uses them in its continued work in preventing suicide and other acts of self-harm.13 See also under the heading “Cases where responses from the Police Authority have been requested”. During the inspections of the police custody facilities in Kristinehamn and Växjö, information emerged of attempted suicides carried out in a similar way as in the police custody facility in Luleå.14 Shortcomings in the physical environment Any individual held in a police custody facility must be treated with respect for their human value and with an understanding of the special difficulties associated with a deprivation of liberty. Furthermore, the execution of a decision to deprive someone of their liberty must be conducted in such a manner that negative consequences are counteracted.15 Inmates are not to be placed in cells that are dirty or covered in graffiti During the inspections of the police custody facilities in Arvika and Kristinehamn, it emerged that several of the cells were covered in graffiti. In the police custody facility in Arvika, there was, inter alia, a large swastika engraved into the table in one of the cells and another cell smelled of urine. Furthermore, there was derogatory and hateful graffiti scrawled in the cells in both Arvika and Kristinehamn.16 During the inspection of the police custody facility in Karlskrona, it emerged that the cells were worn and dirty, and that even the cells that had been cleaned stank of urine. Furthermore, it was very cold in the cells during the winter and inmates can need up to three blankets to keep warm.17 Following the inspections, the Parliamentary Ombudsman reiterated that individuals held in police custody facilities should be treated with respect for their human dignity and with an understanding of the special difficulties associated with being deprived of one’s liberty. This means, inter alia, that individuals deprived of their liberty – regardless of the reason for the decision – must be held in cells of an acceptable hygienic standard. For the same reason, an inmate should not have to stay in a cell that is covered in graffiti. Furthermore, cells must have an acceptable temperature even in winter.18 During the inspection of the police custody facility in Växjö, it emerged that the cells were generally worn and that the number of cells did not correspond to the actual need. Following the inspection, the Parliamentary Ombudsman stated that, occasionally, intoxicated individuals were held in detention cells. The Parliamentary Ombudsman further emphasised that the police custody 13 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 10 and 11, ref. no. O 2-2019. 14 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 3, ref. no. O 49-2019 and report p. 7, ref. no. O 21-2019. 15 See Chapter 1, Sections 4 and 5 of the Remand Prisons Act. 16 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 4, ref. no. O 47-2019 and report p. 3, ref. no. O 49-2019. 17 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 3, ref. no. O 33-2019. 18 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 9, ref. no. O 47-2019 and report p. 5, ref. no. O 33-2019.