Criticism of the Prison and Probation Service, Svartsjö prison, because inmates had to sleep on sofas in the communal areas

The Parliamentary Ombudsman criticises Svartsjö prison, because inmates were forced to sleep on sofas in the unit’s day room due to overcrowding in the summer and autumn of 2023. Although, according to the Prison and Probation Service, this only occurred on a few occasions, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen considers that the arrangement was unacceptable, inter alia, with regard to the safety and security of the inmates concerned.

It is also noted that, as recently as February 2024, the Parliamentary Ombudsman received a complaint from an inmate of the same establishment complaining that he had to sleep on a sofa in the unit’s “living room”, while the Prison and Probation Service stated that this has not occurred since November 2023. The Parliamentary Ombudsman states that this is clearly significant and she assumes that the prison has now addressed the problem.