Inspections
On-site inspections in public offices and institutions have traditionally been an important part of the Ombudsman's work.
Prisons, closed institutions, Defence Forces
In addition, he carries out regular inspections in units of the Defence Forces, the Border Guard and in Finnish peacekeeping contingents.
Inspections also take place at police stations, public prosecutor's offices and courts as well as social welfare and health care authorities and institutions, such as homes for the intellectually disabled and children's homes.
Failings come to light
Shortcomings which the Ombudsman decides on his own initiative to investigate often come to light in the course of on-site inspections.
Inspections have an important preventive function, but at the same time they provide a picture of the circumstances in which the authorities must operate and add to the knowledge needed to arrive at decisions on complaints.
The confidential discussions also reveal shortcomings which have not been brought to the Ombudsman's attention in complaints.
Special attention to appropriateness of conditions
The matters examined during on-site inspections of institutions include the appropriateness of conditions, such as accommodation areas as well as food and health care.
Attention is also paid to the treatment of inmates as well as to the use of coercive and disciplinary measures.
During inspections, inmates of institutions as well as conscripts always have the opportunity to speak to the Ombudsman or his representative in confidentiality.
Other aspects examined at sites inspected include how smoothly matters are taken care of and whether decisions are made appropriately: whether they are in accordance with the law and based on sufficient grounds.
Inspections also always include discussions with the personnel and management bodies of institutions as well as scrutiny of documents.
OPCAT inspections
In November 2014, the Parliamentary Ombudsman became the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) referred to in the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture. Consequently, new features and requirements were included in inspections.
The NPM is responsible for conducting inspections in places where persons deprived of their liberty are held.
Such places include police departments and remand prisons, detention units for foreigners, psychiatric hospitals, residential schools and child welfare institutions.
Inspections can now also be carried out in all private places that can be used to hold persons who have been deprived of their liberty. Such places include the detention facilities on board ships and aeroplanes and in public events.
Help from experts of different fields, such as doctors, and so-called experts by experience, who have themselves been placed in an institution in the past, may be used during these inspections.
2023
October
-
Tarkastus: Vantaan kaupungin Ruusuhaan asumisyksikkö 22.11.2022 (pdf)
Published 13.10.2023, Resolved 29.9.2023, dnr 2816/2022
September
-
Tarkastus: Jääkäriprikaatin Rovaniemen yksikön vapautensa menettäneiden säilytystilojen tarkastus 24.5.2023 (pdf)
Published 29.9.2023, Resolved 16.8.2023, dnr 3511/2023 -
Tarkastus: Jääkäriprikaatin Sodankylän yksikön vapautensa menettäneiden säilytystilojen tarkastus 24.5.2023 (pdf)
Published 29.9.2023, Resolved 16.8.2023, dnr 3510/2023 -
Tarkastus: Jääkäriprikaatin Sodankylän ja Rovaniemen yksiköt 24.5.2023 (pdf)
Published 29.9.2023, Resolved 16.8.2023, dnr 3171/2023 -
Tarkastus: Poliisihallituksen yksityisen turvallisuusalan valvontayksikkö 26.4.2023 (pdf)
Published 28.9.2023, Resolved 12.9.2023, dnr 2235/2023 -
Ennalta ilmoittamaton tarkastus: Hyvinkään poliisivankila 16.2.2023 (pdf)
Published 28.9.2023, Resolved 16.8.2023, dnr 1177/2023 -
Tarkastus: Lapin rajavartiosto 23.5.2023 (pdf)
Published 27.9.2023, Resolved 16.8.2023, dnr 3170/2023 -
Tarkastus: Peruskuntayhtymä Karviaisen tehostetun palveluasumisen yksikkö Toivokoti 17.3.2022 (pdf)
Published 26.9.2023, Resolved 12.6.2023, dnr 1128/2022 -
Tarkastus: Vankiterveydenhuollon yksikön Kylmäkosken poliklinikka 25.4. - 26.4.2022 (pdf)
Published 21.9.2023, Resolved 15.8.2023, dnr 1623/2022 -
Tarkastus: Vankiterveydenhuollon yksikön Riihimäen poliklinikka 14.3.2023 (pdf)
Published 20.9.2023, Resolved 20.9.2023, dnr 1107/2023 -
Tarkastus: Vantaan kaupunki, Simonkylän vanhustenkeskus, Simonkylän hoivakoti 3, Tehostetun palveluasumisen psykogeriatrinen yksikkö 31.3.2022 ja 5.5.2022 (pdf)
Published 18.9.2023, Resolved 13.6.2023, dnr 1129/2022 -
Tarkastus: Tullin salainen tiedonhankinta 7.12.2022 (pdf)
Published 15.9.2023, Resolved 21.8.2023, dnr 6157/2022 -
Tarkastus: Kaakkois-Suomen poliisilaitos 7.6.2023 (pdf)
Published 15.9.2023, Resolved 24.8.2023, dnr 2440/2023 -
Tarkastus: Vanhan Vaasan sairaala 24.5.-31.8.2021 (pdf)
Published 14.9.2023, Resolved 7.7.2023, dnr 3566/2021 -
Tarkastus: Niuvanniemen sairaala 24.5.- 5.8.2021 (pdf)
Published 14.9.2023, Resolved 7.7.2023, dnr 3565/2021 -
Tarkastus: Oulun oikeusaputoimisto, talous- ja velkaneuvonta 14.3.2023 (pdf)
Published 13.9.2023, Resolved 28.6.2023, dnr 797/2023 -
Tarkastus: Rajavartiolaitoksen salainen tiedonhankinta ja salaiset pakkokeinot 2.2.2023 (pdf)
Published 13.9.2023, Resolved 21.8.2023, dnr 337/2023 -
Tarkastus: Ulosottolaitoksen Pohjois-Suomen laajan täytäntöönpanon toimintayksikkö, Oulun toimipaikka 14.3.2023 (pdf)
Published 12.9.2023, Resolved 7.6.2023, dnr 796/2023 -
Tarkastus: Riihimäen vankila 13.–14.3.2023 (pdf)
Published 12.9.2023, Resolved 19.6.2023, dnr 1186/2023 -
Tarkastus: Rajavartiolaitoksen esikunta 2.2.2023 (pdf)
Published 11.9.2023, Resolved 4.4.2023, dnr 407/2023