THE POSSIBILITIES OF KEEPING A PHYSICAL DISTANCE AND PROVIDING INFORMATION TO PEOPLE DEPRIVED OF THEIR LIBERT Y and what measures staff take to ensure that they do not bring the virus into a remand prison or prison. An inmate at the Svartsjö prison made the following comment: “The Prison and Probation Service has been incredibly bad at providing information about the situation, what happens with leave, visits etc. Most of the information is about washing your hands. The prison staff, who are unqualified, cannot provide information about basically anything. [One of the Prison and Probation Service junior managers] at Svartsjö has held one good information meeting in each department.” The Parliamentary Ombudsman’s questionnaire also revealed that some inmates had received incorrect information. Inmates at Färingsö prison stated that they had been informed that they were forbidden from applying for leave. At Hall prison, one inmate stated that he had been informed that hospitals did not accept patients who were infected with Covid-19 at all. There were also reports that staff at Hall prison had answered inmates’ questions with “we do not know more than you” or “we do not know”. The importance of correct information was captured by an inmate at Hall prison who made the following comment in the questionnaire: “Then I think that inmates with symptoms may be reluctant to say anything as no one knows what happens if you are carrying the virus, if we would be locked up or put in solitary [segregation cell; Parliamentary Ombudsman’s note], everything is so terribly unclear. Then, we inmates must get more info about what the symptoms might be. There are inmates who [neither] speak Swedish nor English 5 and therefore cannot follow news updates, teletext, etc. I mean, if I do not get any info from staff or healthcare personnel here at the prison then how can those who cannot understand the language get information. There is at least one person in every department here [in the building] who cannot make himself understood nor understand the information we receive through the media. ” Parliamentary Ombudsman Katarina Påhlsson stated that this information showed the danger of inmates receiving poor or limited inA lack of knowledge formation, as well as interof what measures will preters not being used to a sufficient extent. This lack be taken in the case of of information can create a infection can lead to an general feeling of anxiety. inmate not disclosing An anxiety or ignorance their symptoms concerning the measures taken by the Prison and Probation Service in the event of a suspected or confirmed infection can lead to inmates being reluctant to make it known in the event they develop symptoms. This, in turn, can result in a spread of the infection with devastating consequences. At the concluding dialogue meeting, the management of the Prison and Probation Service stated that it would take the results of the questionnaire into account and would consider the need to produce further written information. Parliamentary Ombudsman Katarina Påhlsson welcomed this. She further stated that primarily the information should be provided in writing. As such, inmates would have the opportunity to read the information in peace and quiet and, if necessary, return to the information sheet and ask questions. Written information – 35 –