Electronic communication services and visits to be reduced and monitored at special youth homes
Published:
Safety and security at special youth homes are to be increased. The Committee on Health and Welfare proposes that the Riksdag vote in favour of the Government's proposal to introduce measures.
The proposed measures include dividing up special youth homes operated by the National Board of Institutional Care (SiS) into different security levels.
Young people who are undergoing care at high-level security special youth homes in accordance with the Care of Young Persons (Special Provisions) Act or who are in institutional youth care in accordance with the Act on the Enforcement of Closed Juvenile Care will only be permitted to use electronic communication services such as mobile telephones and the internet to be in contact with another person if the equipment is provided by SiS, approved by SiS and provided it is deemed to be appropriate.
It is also proposed that SiS be given greater scope to decide on restrictions and monitoring of visits. A visit may for example be conditional on the visitor undergoing a body search for security reasons if necessary. It will also be possible for SiS to investigate whether the person the child or the young person wishes to communicate with or be visited by has been convicted or is suspected of a crime.
It is proposed that the amendments to the legislation should come into force on 15 May 2024.