general observations in connection with inspections 25 Temporary police custody facilities In connection with the EU summit meeting in Gothenburg in 2017, the Police Authority set up temporary police custody facilities in the garage at the police headquarters. The temporary cells were approximately 11 square metres, with the walls and ceilings made from steel mesh. The authority planned to place a maximum of five persons in each cell. Following an inspection, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen established that the cells did not fulfil the requirements for the size, design and equipment of a detention room pursuant to the regulation on the design of remand centres and police custody facilities. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen also established that there are good reasons for limiting the use of temporary police custody facilities to short-term custody in accordance with the Police Act. Persons suspected of a crime should, in the first instance, be placed in ordinary police custody facilities, or in some cases, in remand prisons. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen also stated that it is very difficult to see how it could be appropriate to place individuals taken into custody, due to intoxication, individuals in poor physical or mental condition, or persons under the age of 18, in cells of this kind. As a result of the Police Authority’s intention, to place a maximum of five individuals in each cell, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen emphasised that placing two or more detainees in the same cell must be regarded as an exception and not a general rule.12 Conclusions on police custody facilities Deprivation of liberty, in police custody facilities, lasts at the most, a couple of days, as a general rule. Even if an individual deprived of their liberty is not staying in a facility for a long period of time, it is important that the premises are designed in such a way that the premises do not reinforce the negative consequences of being deprived of one’s liberty. Appropriately designed police custody facilities are also an important prerequisite for dealing with detainees in a dignified and respectful manner. The design of the premises is also of great importance for the safety of the detainees. During the inspection period, it was established, in comparison with the previous period, that there were some improvements regarding the physical environments in the facilities. The lack of daylight in the premises in which the detainees are placed is, however, still a concern. Further measures are required, in order for the premises to fulfil the fundamental requirements for an inflow of daylight. Relatively extensive work also remains to be done before detainees can be offered the opportunity to spend time outdoors, on a daily basis, in suitable exercise yards. The fact that guards, appointed to be custody facility guards, are completely lacking special training to work as guards in a custody facility means an 12 Ref. no. 7081-2017. Further efforts are required, in order for the premises used for the placement of detainees to fulfil the fundamental requirements to achieve an inflow of daylight. Relatively extensive work also remains to be done before the detainees are offered the opportunity to spend time outdoors, on a daily basis, in suitable exercise yards.