8 SUMMARY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMEN’S CONCLUSIONS for visitor restrictions and, where possible, had eased restrictions. Initially, the visiting restrictions applied to All the agencies investigated took infectious disease all institutions. These expired on 7 July 2020. Since then, control measures to limit inmates’ contact with the outit has been for each institution to determine whether side world. The measures were varied in their extent. there exist grounds for continued restrictions on visits However, the investigations show that all the agencies based on the local conditions and needs. Parliamentary have introduced some form of compensatory measures Ombudsman Thomas Norling stated that this change was to reduce the negative effects of the restrictions. These in line with an ambition that restrictions to prevent the include technical solutions which were quickly introspread of infection should not exceed those which are duced to enable video calls (the Prison and Probation necessary. Service and the Swedish MigThe agencies have taken compensatory ration Board), and the pos- 8.6 Information to inmates sibility for people to receive measures Each Parliamentary Ombudsman has found that there visits outdoors (the National have been shortcomings in the way in which the agenBoard of Institutional Care). The National Board of Focies have provided people deprived of the liberty with rensic Medicine has also taken measures and installed information concerning Covid-19. In the opinion of the transparent screens to make it possible to conduct infecParliamentary Ombudsmen, the people deprived of their tionsafe visits. Some agencies have lacked procedures for liberty should be provided with written information in the handling of inmates belonging to an at-risk group. the first instance, which may be supplemented with oral Although compensatory measures have been introinformation if necessary. Parliamentary Ombudsman duced, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen have identified Per Lennerbrant stated that relevant information is a neagencies that needed to take further measures. Following cessity for inmates to be able to claim their rights and the investigation of the Prison and Probation Service, to take appropriate measures to protect themselves and Parliamentary Ombudsman Katarina Påhlsson urged the others from infection. Parliamentary Ombudsman Kataagency to investigate whether it was possible both to alrina Påhlsson has pointed out that the lack of provision low inmates to receive visits outdoors and to separate inof information can create mates and visitors from each other with screens to reduInformation to people a general feeling of anxiece the risk of infection. The Parliamentary Ombudsman ty among inmates. More deprived of their liberty also expressed concern that the possibility of making serious is that a worry is necessary for them to video calls to underage children was not sufficient to coor an ignorance of what be able to protect themver the need. In the decision, she also noted that the resmeasures the Prison and trictions on some inmates had become so far-reaching selves against infection Probation Service takes that their contacts with relatives had been reduced to a in the case of feared or confirmed infection can lead to ten-minute telephone call once a month. inmates being reluctant to reveal that they have sympThe investigation of the National Board of Institutional toms. Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman Elisabeth RynCare showed that it had continually reviewed the need – 64 – 8.5 Inmates’ contact with the outside world