The Ombudsman’s monitoring visits to institutions for adults in 2023 focused particularly on the Prison and Probation Service’s transport of inmates to court appearances, outpatient treatment and in connection with transfer of inmates from one Prison and Probation Service institution to another.

The transports are to a large extent carried out by special transport officers employed with the Prison and Probation Service's transport and guard units.

The Ombudsman’s main impression is that the Prison and Probation Service has organised the work of transporting inmates in a professional and appropriate manner. It is generally taken into account that the inmates are often in a vulnerable position.

However, in the Ombudsman's opinion, there are also matters that can be improved. The Prison and Probation Service should thus ensure focus on remedying language barriers during transport, including making use of interpreters to the extent necessary. This could be in situations where healthcare assistance for an inmate is needed, where there is a risk of conflict escalation or where an inmate wants to express that they are feeling unsafe or express ordinary needs during the transport.

The investigation has also shown some uncertainty in the Prison and Probation Service in connection with what rules on use of handcuffs should be used in relation to specific transports.

In addition, the Ombudsman recommends that the Prison and Probation Service pay more attention to ensuring discretion for the inmates in public spaces when they are going to healthcare treatments. The Prison and Probation Service should also in connection with healthcare treatments ensure that the confidentiality between doctor and patient is respected to the extent possible.

Read the whole thematic report on the Ombudsman’s monitoring activities in 2023.

Read the news item on the theme of the Ombudsman’s 2024 monitoring visits to institutions for adults.

Further details: Director of International Relations, Klavs Kinnerup Hede kkh@ombudsmanden.dk

FACTS

The investigation involved monitoring visits to the three transport and guard units in Copenhagen, Kolding and Hobro under the Transport and Guard Group (Koncern Transport og Bevogtning), the Department of Prisons and Probation.

The investigation also involved monitoring visits to two state prisons and three local prisons:

• Nr. Snede Prison

• Enner Mark Prison

• ‘Bornholms Arrest’

• ‘Randers Arrest’

• ‘Kolding Arrest’.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman carries out monitoring visits to public and private institutions where people are or can be deprived of their liberty.

The monitoring visits are carried out in cooperation with the Danish Institute for Human Rights and DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture, which contribute with medical and human rights expertise.

Every year, a theme is chosen for the year’s monitoring visits