Concerning extended lock-up times at the Swedish Prison and Probation Service’s secure units and measures to mitigate the negative impact on inmates

The decision in brief: Inmates of the three secure units at the prisons in Saltvik, Hall and Kumla are segregated for 14 hours during lock-up. This deviates from standard procedure at Swedish prisons in this security class, which is 12 hours. In the case in question, the Parliamentary Ombudsman has reviewed the background to the decisions and what the Swedish Prison and Probation Service has done to mitigate the negative impact on the affected inmates.

In her decision, the Parliamentary Ombudsman states that staff shortages in one prison cannot justify a corresponding decision in another. Rather, whether it is necessary to segregate inmates from one another for an extended lock-up period must be assessed based on the present circumstances in the individual prison. The Parliamentary Ombudsman notes that the extended lock-up times have now been in force at the secure units for almost three years, and that it is difficult to reconcile this arrangement with humane correctional treatment. Moreover, it may impede the inmates’ rehabilitation.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman also gives her view of the compensatory measures taken by the prisons to mitigate the negative impact of extended lock-up times, which in her opinion must compensate for the actual restrictions imposed on the inmates. The measures should involve some form of physical or mental stimulation or activity, and be as varied as possible. Furthermore, the Parliamentary Ombudsman reminds the prisons that adaptions must also be made at individual level. She is somewhat critical of how Saltvik Prison, Hall Prison and Kumla Prison have dealt with these measures.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman finds reason to send a copy of her decision for information purposes to the Government and to the Commission of Inquiry (Ju 2025:17) conducting a review of the Detention Act and Imprisonment Act to facilitate the expansion of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service.