Criticism of the Prison and Probation Service, Asptuna prison, because inmates have to receive visitors in a sports hall

Asptuna prison does not have a dedicated visitors’ section. Instead, six inmates at a time must receive unsupervised visits in the prison’s sports hall. Before the visits, a number of tables, chairs and screens are put out. To maintain order and security, staff make rounds during the visits.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman questions whether, for reasons of privacy in respect of both inmates and visitors, it is appropriate for visits to take place under these conditions. She maintains, among other things, that it may limit the opportunities for private conversations and closer contact between inmates and their family members, and may result in inmates and their fellow inmates’ visitors being exposed to each other. The latter is problematic from a confidentiality point of view. In addition, she questions whether, by doing the rounds, the prison really respects the right to unsupervised visits. In her view, it is clear that the prison needs more visiting rooms to enable such visits to be carried out in an appropriate and dignified manner. The Parliamentary Ombudsman also makes statements about visiting hours at the prison.