Monitoring visits to institutions for adults in 2022

The table immediately below shows the number of visits which we carried out to institutions for adults in 2022. In addition, it shows the total numbers of talks we had with users (inmates, residents, patients etc.) and relatives etc. (relatives, guardians, social guardians of persons under a residential care order and patient advisers). Under the OPCAT[1], the Ombudsman cooperates with DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (IMR), which participate in monitoring visits, among other things. Therefore, the table also shows the total numbers of visits in which DIGNITY and IMR participated. In addition, it shows the numbers of announced and unannounced visits and how many visits were concluded with recommendations and without any comments, respectively.

The visits which we carried out in 2022 are listed below the table. For each visit, information is provided about the type of institution visited and any special focus of the visit, how many talks we had with users and with relatives etc., whether DIGNITY and/or IMR participated and any recommendations given to the institution.

[1] OHCHR | Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT)

NUMBER OF VISITS	29
TALKS WITH USERS	119
TALKS WITH RELATIVES ETC.	5
WITH PARTICIPATION OF DIGNITY	29
WITH PARTICIPATION OF IMR	15
ANNOUNCED/UNANNOUNCED VISITS	29/0
CONCLUDED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS	23
CONCLUDED WITHOUT ANY COMMENTS	6

MONITORING VISITS	RECOMMENDATIONS
2 February Renbæk Prison 6 closed units as well as disciplinary and solitary confinement section Talks with 21 users DIGNITY participated	That management ensure that, on reception, inmates are made aware of the prison’s rules, house rules and practical matters. That management maintain focus on the relational work between staff and inmates as well as ensure that inmates get replies to requests etc. and understand the decisions made by the prison.
2 March Western Prison (‘Vestre Fængsel’) Reception unit Talks with 10 users DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management ensure continued focus on inmates receiving sufficient guidance about their rights etc. on reception. That management consider how to ensure that inmates are familiar with the plan for the inmates’ stay in the custody of the Prison and Probation Service, cooperation with other authorities etc. (the action plan).
3 March Copenhagen Police Detention facility and waiting room at Station Bellahøj Talk with 1 user DIGNITY and IMR participated	The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.
7 March Western Copenhagen Police Detention facility and waiting room at Albertslund Police Headquarters No talks with users or relatives DIGNITY and IMR participated	The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.
15 March ‘Hillerød Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 3 users DIGNITY participated	That management ensure that the deadlines for making action plans in Circular No. 9741 of 28 June 2022 are met. That management ensure that health-related documentation, including documentation of the initial health assessment, is comprehensive and meets the formal requirements for record keeping. That management ensure that the house rules are translated into relevant languages.
16 March North Zealand Police Detention facility and waiting room, Station Nord No talks with users or relatives DIGNITY participated	That management ensure that the frequency of supervision and supervision of arriving detainees is in accordance with applicable rules.
30 March Mental Health Services South, Vordingborg Psychiatric bed unit for geriatrics Talks with 2 users and 3 relatives etc. DIGNITY participated	The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.
5 April ‘Odense Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 7 users DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management ensure continued focus on inmates receiving sufficient guidance about their rights on reception. That management ensure that, on reception, inmates are made familiar with the house rules, and that the house rules are available to all inmates. That management ensure a relevant amount of guidance about the special complaints scheme and access to judicial review under Section 778 of the Administration of Justice Act, for instance by including this guidance in the house rules’ section about complaining. That management, in a way deemed relevant, ensure that healthcare staff are informed of inmates in solitary confinement.
6 April Funen Police Detention facility and waiting room, Funen Police Headquarters in Odense No talks with users or relatives DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management ensure continued focus on filling in all items in the detention report, including justifying if some items are not filled in. That management ensure that there is a procedure for control with calling systems in the detention facility and waiting room.
11 May ‘Aarhus Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 8 users DIGNITY participated	That management consider how to ensure that inmates are familiar with the plan for the inmates’ stay in the custody of the Prison and Probation Service, cooperation with other authorities etc. (the action plan). That management ensure that the short version of the house rules is translated into relevant languages. That management ensure the removal of the requirement that a request for a talk with healthcare staff must be justified on an open request form. That management ensure that the room used for temporary detainment of new inmates (the former exercise room) is set up in a way that avoids the risk of inmates self-harming. That management ensure that the exercise room is again being used as an exercise room as soon as possible.
12 May East Jutland Police Detention facility and waiting room, Aarhus Police Headquarters Talk with 1 user DIGNITY participated	That management ensure that supervision of arriving detainees is in accordance with applicable rules. That management ensure that the item in the detention report concerning the handing out of a folder with guidance about complaining, among other things, is filled in.
16 May ‘Aalborg Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 3 users DIGNITY participated	That management take care to ensure the necessary confidentiality and discretion in the healthcare services, including in connection with talks in double cells and submission of request forms. That management ensure increased focus on correct, precise and comprehensive documentation in reports on placement in an observation cell. That management ensure that the house rules are translated into relevant languages. That management ensure use of interpreters to the necessary extent. That management ensure that calls for toilet visits are answered as quickly as possible. That management ensure that both inmates and staff share an understanding that it is acceptable for inmates to call in order to go to the toilet. That management ensure that staff – unless for control purposes – always knock on inmates’ cell doors before opening.
17 May North Jutland Police Detention facility and waiting room, Aalborg No talks with users or relatives DIGNITY participated	That management ensure that it is documented that arrestees have been informed of their rights; cf. Circular No. 9155 of 18 March 2010.
30 May – 2 June Police on the Faroe Islands 4 monitoring visits to the Police on the Faroe Islands: Detention facility and waiting room in Tórshavn Waiting room at Vágar Airport Detention facility in Klaksvík Detention facility in Tvøroyri No talks with users or relatives DIGNITY and IMR participated	Combined report That management ensure that the local instructions ‘Guidelines and procedures in connection with arrestees and detainees’ and ‘Guide for placement in waiting rooms’ are updated so they are in accordance with applicable rules and practices and so it is clearly stated: what rules apply to placement in detention facilities and waiting rooms and who – at police stations where the officer in charge is not present – is responsible for carrying out the tasks of the officer in charge. That management ensure the drawing up of procedures for ongoing control of the electronic equipment in detention facilities and waiting rooms, including smoke detectors and calling systems. That management ensure that the supervision of detainees is carried out in accordance with the rules of the Executive Order on detention facilities, including that increased supervision before the medical examination is carried out and that, after the medical examination, supervision is only carried out via listening and surveillance devices when the conditions for this are met. That management ensure that medicine is only handed out according to a doctor’s instructions and consider if there is a need to draw up instructions for medicines management. That management ensure that, already during transport of intoxicated detainees, a doctor is summoned in order to examine the detainee, unless the transport is of short duration. That management ensure that all relevant items in the detention report are filled in.
3 June ‘Færøerne Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 7 users DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management – for instance in connection with the coming into force of the Sentence Enforcement Act – review the house rules in order to ensure, for example: that the house rules are in accordance with applicable rules that the house rules to the relevant extent contain a description of underlying rules and complaint options that the various language versions of the house rules have the same contents.
8 June ‘Pension Hammer Bakker’ General units, resettlement day release unit and family unit Talks with 4 users DIGNITY participated	The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.
9 June ‘Psykiatri Nord, Thy-Mors’ General psychiatric bed unit, Thisted Talks with 2 users DIGNITY participated	The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.
15 June ‘Esbjerg Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 8 users DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management ensure continued focus on inmates receiving sufficient guidance about their rights on reception. That management ensure relevant guidance about the special complaints scheme and access to judicial review under Section 778 of the Administration of Justice Act, for instance by including such guidance in the house rules. That management ensure that medicines management lives up to the requirements of applicable rules and guidelines. That management ensure that the health-related record-keeping lives up to the requirements of applicable rules and guidelines.
16 June South Jutland Police Detention facility and waiting room, Esbjerg Police Headquarters No talks with users or relatives DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management ensure that arrestees are informed of their rights etc. and that this is documented; cf. Circular No. 9155 of 18 March 2010.
6 September Ellebæk Centre for Foreigners Centre for foreigners Talks with 4 users DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management have continued focus on improving the outdoor areas. That management ensure use of interpreters to the necessary extent. That management ensure that there is increased attention on ensuring that the rules on solitary confinement are applied correctly, including distinguishing between temporary exclusion from association under Section 63(3) and interrogation cell under Section 71(1) of the Sentence Enforcement Act. That management have continued focus on ensuring that staff have a professional tone of communication mutually and towards detainees.
4 October ‘Nykøbing Mors Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 7 users DIGNITY participated	That management ensure that, on reception of new inmates, staff receive guidance or training in uncovering mental health conditions, including thoughts of suicide. That management ensure the use of interpreters to the necessary extent, including in connection with talks relating to reception and healthcare as well as talks on uncovering mental health conditions. That management ensure that both inmates and staff share an understanding that it is acceptable for inmates to call in order to go to the toilet and that urine bottles are not handed out unless requested.
5 October ‘Holstebro Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 4 users DIGNITY participated	That management ensure that staff receive guidance or training in uncovering mental health conditions, including thoughts of suicide, on the reception of new inmates. That management ensure the use of interpreters to the necessary extent, including in connection with talks relating to reception and talks on uncovering mental health conditions. That management ensure that inmates do not have the impression that use of an overnight urine bottle is mandatory.
6 October Central and West Jutland Police Detention facility in Holstebro Talk with 1 user DIGNITY participated	The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.
12 October ‘Frederikshavn Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 9 users DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management ensure that cell calls are answered as quickly as possible and within reasonable time. That management ensure that the exercise room is not being used for accommodation. That management ensure a well-functioning library scheme.
13 October ‘Hobro Arrest’ Remand unit Talks with 10 users DIGNITY and IMR participated	That management ensure that cell calls are answered as quickly as possible and within reasonable time. That management ensure that both inmates and staff share an understanding that it is acceptable for inmates to call in order to go to the toilet and that urine bottles are not handed out unless requested. That management ensure that staff – unless for control purposes – knock on inmates’ cell doors before opening.
20 December ‘Botilbuddet Granvej’ Accommodation facility for citizens with mental health challenges combined with active drug abuse Talks with 7 users and 1 relative DIGNITY participated	That management draw up a policy concerning violence and threats between and against residents which relates to preventive measures the handling of victim, offender and any affected co-residents in connection with a specific episode follow-up with victim, offender and affected co-residents the handling of violence and threats from outside persons.

MONITORING VISITS

RECOMMENDATIONS

2 February

Renbæk Prison

6 closed units as well as disciplinary and solitary confinement section

Talks with 21 users

DIGNITY participated

That management ensure that, on reception, inmates are made aware of the prison’s rules, house rules and practical matters.
That management maintain focus on the relational work between staff and inmates as well as ensure that inmates get replies to requests etc. and understand the decisions made by the prison.

2 March

Western Prison (‘Vestre Fængsel’)

Reception unit

Talks with 10 users

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management ensure continued focus on inmates receiving sufficient guidance about their rights etc. on reception.
That management consider how to ensure that inmates are familiar with the plan for the inmates’ stay in the custody of the Prison and Probation Service, cooperation with other authorities etc. (the action plan).

3 March

Copenhagen Police

Detention facility and waiting room at Station Bellahøj

Talk with 1 user

DIGNITY and IMR participated

The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.

7 March

Western Copenhagen Police

Detention facility and waiting room at Albertslund Police Headquarters

No talks with users or relatives

DIGNITY and IMR participated

The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.

15 March

‘Hillerød Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 3 users

DIGNITY participated

That management ensure that the deadlines for making action plans in Circular No. 9741 of 28 June 2022 are met.
That management ensure that health-related documentation, including documentation of the initial health assessment, is comprehensive and meets the formal requirements for record keeping.
That management ensure that the house rules are translated into relevant languages.

16 March

North Zealand Police

Detention facility and waiting room, Station Nord

No talks with users or relatives

DIGNITY participated

That management ensure that the frequency of supervision and supervision of arriving detainees is in accordance with applicable rules.

30 March

Mental Health Services South, Vordingborg

Psychiatric bed unit for geriatrics

Talks with 2 users and 3 relatives etc.

DIGNITY participated

The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.

5 April

‘Odense Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 7 users

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management ensure continued focus on inmates receiving sufficient guidance about their rights on reception.

That management ensure that, on reception, inmates are made familiar with the house rules, and that the house rules are available to all inmates.

That management ensure a relevant amount of guidance about the special complaints scheme and access to judicial review under Section 778 of the Administration of Justice Act, for instance by including this guidance in the house rules’ section about complaining.

That management, in a way deemed relevant, ensure that healthcare staff are informed of inmates in solitary confinement.

6 April

Funen Police

Detention facility and waiting room, Funen Police Headquarters in Odense

No talks with users or relatives

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management ensure continued focus on filling in all items in the detention report, including justifying if some items are not filled in.
That management ensure that there is a procedure for control with calling systems in the detention facility and waiting room.

11 May

‘Aarhus Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 8 users

DIGNITY participated

That management consider how to ensure that inmates are familiar with the plan for the inmates’ stay in the custody of the Prison and Probation Service, cooperation with other authorities etc. (the action plan).
That management ensure that the short version of the house rules is translated into relevant languages.
That management ensure the removal of the requirement that a request for a talk with healthcare staff must be justified on an open request form.
That management ensure that the room used for temporary detainment of new inmates (the former exercise room) is set up in a way that avoids the risk of inmates self-harming.
That management ensure that the exercise room is again being used as an exercise room as soon as possible.

12 May

East Jutland Police

Detention facility and waiting room, Aarhus Police Headquarters

Talk with 1 user

DIGNITY participated

That management ensure that supervision of arriving detainees is in accordance with applicable rules.
That management ensure that the item in the detention report concerning the handing out of a folder with guidance about complaining, among other things, is filled in.

16 May

‘Aalborg Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 3 users

DIGNITY participated

That management take care to ensure the necessary confidentiality and discretion in the healthcare services, including in connection with talks in double cells and submission of request forms.
That management ensure increased focus on correct, precise and comprehensive documentation in reports on placement in an observation cell.
That management ensure that the house rules are translated into relevant languages.
That management ensure use of interpreters to the necessary extent.
That management ensure that calls for toilet visits are answered as quickly as possible.
That management ensure that both inmates and staff share an understanding that it is acceptable for inmates to call in order to go to the toilet.
That management ensure that staff – unless for control purposes – always knock on inmates’ cell doors before opening.

17 May

North Jutland Police

Detention facility and waiting room, Aalborg

No talks with users or relatives

DIGNITY participated

That management ensure that it is documented that arrestees have been informed of their rights; cf. Circular No. 9155 of 18 March 2010.

30 May – 2 June

Police on the Faroe Islands

4 monitoring visits to the Police on the Faroe Islands:

Detention facility and waiting room in Tórshavn

Waiting room at Vágar Airport

Detention facility in Klaksvík

Detention facility in Tvøroyri

No talks with users or relatives

DIGNITY and IMR participated

Combined report

That management ensure that the local instructions ‘Guidelines and procedures in connection with arrestees and detainees’ and ‘Guide for placement in waiting rooms’ are updated so they are in accordance with applicable rules and practices and so it is clearly stated:
- what rules apply to placement in detention facilities and waiting rooms and
- who – at police stations where the officer in charge is not present – is responsible for carrying out the tasks of the officer in charge.
That management ensure the drawing up of procedures for ongoing control of the electronic equipment in detention facilities and waiting rooms, including smoke detectors and calling systems.
That management ensure that the supervision of detainees is carried out in accordance with the rules of the Executive Order on detention facilities, including that increased supervision before the medical examination is carried out and that, after the medical examination, supervision is only carried out via listening and surveillance devices when the conditions for this are met.
That management ensure that medicine is only handed out according to a doctor’s instructions and consider if there is a need to draw up instructions for medicines management.
That management ensure that, already during transport of intoxicated detainees, a doctor is summoned in order to examine the detainee, unless the transport is of short duration.
That management ensure that all relevant items in the detention report are filled in.

3 June

‘Færøerne Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 7 users

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management – for instance in connection with the coming into force of the Sentence Enforcement Act – review the house rules in order to ensure, for example:
- that the house rules are in accordance with applicable rules
- that the house rules to the relevant extent contain a description of underlying rules and complaint options
- that the various language versions of the house rules have the same contents.

8 June

‘Pension Hammer Bakker’

General units, resettlement day release unit and family unit

Talks with 4 users

DIGNITY participated

The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.

9 June

‘Psykiatri Nord, Thy-Mors’

General psychiatric bed unit, Thisted

Talks with 2 users

DIGNITY participated

The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.

15 June

‘Esbjerg Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 8 users

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management ensure continued focus on inmates receiving sufficient guidance about their rights on reception.

That management ensure relevant guidance about the special complaints scheme and access to judicial review under Section 778 of the Administration of Justice Act, for instance by including such guidance in the house rules.
That management ensure that medicines management lives up to the requirements of applicable rules and guidelines.
That management ensure that the health-related record-keeping lives up to the requirements of applicable rules and guidelines.

16 June

South Jutland Police

Detention facility and waiting room, Esbjerg Police Headquarters

No talks with users or relatives

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management ensure that arrestees are informed of their rights etc. and that this is documented; cf. Circular No. 9155 of 18 March 2010.

6 September

Ellebæk Centre for Foreigners

Centre for foreigners

Talks with 4 users

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management have continued focus on improving the outdoor areas.
That management ensure use of interpreters to the necessary extent.
That management ensure that there is increased attention on ensuring that the rules on solitary confinement are applied correctly, including distinguishing between temporary exclusion from association under Section 63(3) and interrogation cell under Section 71(1) of the Sentence Enforcement Act.
That management have continued focus on ensuring that staff have a professional tone of communication mutually and towards detainees.

4 October

‘Nykøbing Mors Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 7 users

DIGNITY participated

That management ensure that, on reception of new inmates, staff receive guidance or training in uncovering mental health conditions, including thoughts of suicide.

That management ensure the use of interpreters to the necessary extent, including in connection with talks relating to reception and healthcare as well as talks on uncovering mental health conditions.
That management ensure that both inmates and staff share an understanding that it is acceptable for inmates to call in order to go to the toilet and that urine bottles are not handed out unless requested.

5 October

‘Holstebro Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 4 users

DIGNITY participated

That management ensure that staff receive guidance or training in uncovering mental health conditions, including thoughts of suicide, on the reception of new inmates.
That management ensure the use of interpreters to the necessary extent, including in connection with talks relating to reception and talks on uncovering mental health conditions.

That management ensure that inmates do not have the impression that use of an overnight urine bottle is mandatory.

6 October

Central and West Jutland Police

Detention facility in Holstebro

Talk with 1 user

DIGNITY participated

The monitoring visit did not give rise to any recommendations.

12 October

‘Frederikshavn Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 9 users

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management ensure that cell calls are answered as quickly as possible and within reasonable time.
That management ensure that the exercise room is not being used for accommodation.
That management ensure a well-functioning library scheme.

13 October

‘Hobro Arrest’

Remand unit

Talks with 10 users

DIGNITY and IMR participated

That management ensure that cell calls are answered as quickly as possible and within reasonable time.

That management ensure that both inmates and staff share an understanding that it is acceptable for inmates to call in order to go to the toilet and that urine bottles are not handed out unless requested.
That management ensure that staff – unless for control purposes – knock on inmates’ cell doors before opening.

20 December

‘Botilbuddet Granvej’

Accommodation facility for citizens with mental health challenges combined with active drug abuse

Talks with 7 users and 1 relative

DIGNITY participated

That management draw up a policy concerning violence and threats between and against residents which relates to
- preventive measures
- the handling of victim, offender and any affected co-residents in connection with a specific episode
- follow-up with victim, offender and affected co-residents
- the handling of violence and threats from outside persons.

Monitoring visits to institutions for adults in 2022

The Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman

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