CHANCELLOR OF JUSTICE AS NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM PART IV PART III PART II PART I in practice this may lead to the application of prohibited means of restraint (e.g. involuntary administration of drugs to a client for purposes of restraint).24 12 During the reporting year, several negative cases concerning the provision of 24-hour care services received public attention (e.g. freezing to death of a client who left the South Estonian Special Care Services Centre and unauthorised departure of clients from Valkla Home of Hoolekandeteenused Ltd). Prompted by these incidents, a question arose whether and to what extent the freedom of movement of clients of 24-hour care services could be restricted and how to ensure the safety of the clients as well as of the surrounding community.25 During the reporting year, based on the Supreme Court ruling No 3-2-1-44-13 of 30 April 201326, also a question arose whether the courts always follow the prescribed procedure for establishing the grounds of detention of persons to be subjected to 24-hour special care under a court ruling. As part of a wider debate in society, the need for a reform of the care services system was raised.27 On this basis, the Riigikogu social affairs committee organised a meeting on 9 April 2013 to discuss the organisation and future development of special care services. In addition, the Government initiated a Draft Act (471 SE) for the amendment of the Social Welfare Act, the Labour Market Services and Benefits Act and the Social Benefits for Disabled Persons Act in the Riigikogu in order to remedy shortcomings concerning the substance and organisation of special care services.28 Significant changes include, for example, maintaining the queue list for special care services on the county level29 and the possibility in certain cases to replace a 24-hour presence of an activity supervisor with a 24-hour presence of a care worker30. The Chancellor continues to pay attention to the issue of prohibition of corporal punishment of children.31 The Chancellor can note with satisfaction that under the guidance of the Ministry of Social Affairs a new Draft Child Protection Act had been prepared, which, inter alia, establishes the prohibition of ill-treatment of children. Several proceedings carried out in the framework of the Chancellor’s ombudsman competence also relate to the prevention of ill-treatment: for example, extended duration of the application of means of restraint in a prison, documenting their application and supervision of the restrained person; observation of the hygiene corner of a prison cell by video surveillance; documenting refusals from medical assistance; restriction of a possibility for one-hour access to an outdoor 24 The opinion is available online in Estonian: http://adr.rik.ee/okk/fail/2405188/18-21308481302966%2001.07.2013%20V%C3%A4ljaminev%20kiri.ddoc. 25 See, e.g., articles „Meegomäe erihooldekodu juhtum tõi kaasa kriminaalmenetluse“ [The incident at Meegomäe special care home led to a criminal investigation] (available online in Estonian: http://uudised.err.ee/v/ eesti/54844672-f783-48a1-a834-90e9675db1e9), „Politsei otsib Saaremaal hooldekodust lahkunud naist“ [The police looking for a woman who left a care home in Saaremaa] (available online in Estonian: http://www. postimees.ee/1283112/politsei-otsib-saaremaal-hooldekodust-lahkunud-naist), „Valkla hooldekodu kliendid teevad politseile peavalu“ [Clients of Valkla care home a headache for the police] (available online in Estonian: http://eestielu.delfi.ee/eesti/harjumaa/kuusalu/elu/tv3-valkla-hooldekodu-kliendid-teevad-politseilepeavalu.d?id=66097048), „Hooldekodu elanik leiti jõest uppunult“ [Inhabitant of care home found drowned in a river] (available online in Estonian: http://www.postimees.ee/2616452/hooldekodu-elanik-leiti-joest-uppunult). 26 Available online in Estonian: http://www.riigikohus.ee/?id=11&tekst=RK/3-2-1-44-13. 27 See, e.g., articles „Hooldusalune neiu peksis teise hoolealuse surnuks“ [Young woman in a care home beat another client to death] (available online in Estonian: http://uudised.err.ee/v/eesti/773b21b9-6597-45cdade4-6eeb4e46dfaa), „Tsahkna: tahe erihoolekandega seotud probleemid lahendada on olemas“ [Tsahkna: the will to resolve problems relating to special care exists] (available online in Estonian: http://www.riigikogu.ee/ index.php?id=176080), „Vaimupuudega inimest peeti aastate kaupa alusetult kinni“ [Person with an intellectual disability detained without grounds for years] (available online in Estonian: http://epl.delfi.ee/news/eesti/ vaimupuudega-inimest-peeti-aastate-kaupa-alusetult-kinni.d?id=66103684). 28 The Act was adopted by the Riigikogu on 26 February 2014 and will enter into force on 1 January 2015. Available online in Estonian: http://www.riigikogu.ee/?op=ems&page=eelnou&eid=047c1aa9-b12c-486d-b7b1-df93749ff7e7&. 29 See the Draft Act 471 SE II, p 20. 30 See the Draft Act 471 SE II, p 37. 31 See also the Chancellor’s public address of 19 November 2012 to the Minister of Social Affairs for the prohibition of corporal punishment of children. Available online: http://oiguskantsler.ee/en/chancellorof-justices-public-address-to-the-minister-of-social-affairs-on-prohibition-of-corporal.