the prison and probation service 36 any alternative than being placed in segregation. Following the inspection, the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman reiterated that the intention behind the provisions regarding segregation state that if a situation – for example where an inmate feels threatened – can be resolved in another way than holding an inmate segregated, such a measure should be the primary choice.7 The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman further stated that segregation should only be used in exceptional circumstances when all other alternatives have been exhausted. If an inmate is nonetheless segregated, the Prison and Probation Service must work actively to ensure that it lasts for as short a period as possible. Placing an inmate in need of protection in segregation should only occur pending a more permanent solution, for example relocation to a secure places for their own protection.8 The Prison and Probation Service needs to review what premises it has available to place inmates in need of protection It further emerged from the inspection that the inmates who are placed on the semi-open side associate with each other for most of the day. The only reason they are locked in during the day is that the inmates on the unit’s locked side should be able to use the unit’s balcony. In the view of the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman, this means that the real reason for being placed in segregation on the semi-open side is the design and layout of the prison’s premises. During the conversations that the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s employees had with inmates, they expressed that they wanted to be on the semi-open side because it is calmer there. According to the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman, this indicates that there is a need to set up smaller units, where the inmates’ needs to associate in a smaller group and with less stimuli can be met. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman finally noted that the management of the prison has expressed that the mandate of its so-called RO Department9 is unclear. In the view of the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman, what emerged regarding inmates who were segregated at their own request suggested that the Prison and Probation Service needs to review the premises it has available to place inmates who are in need of protection or inmates who need to associate in smaller groups. At the same time, the Prison and Probation Service needs to take measures to ensure that segregating inmates at their own request is only used in exceptional circumstances and for as limited a time as possible.10 Finally, during the inspection of the prison Västervik Norra, it was noted that some of its segregation cells are equipped with high-positioned, so-called basement windows. As a result, an inmate is not able to look out the window and, in addition, the windows lacked the equipment that would make it possible to regulate natural light into the cell. One inmate had been held in such a cell for several weeks. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman stated that the 7 See Government Bill 2009/10: 135 pp. 138. 8 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 16, ref. no. O 46-2019. 9 A department that enables, for example, inmates associating with each other in small groups. 10 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 16, ref. no. O 46-2019.