Danish detention centers are under scrutiny for offering inmates work that lacks real value, such as making Christmas stars and folding mousetraps that are often discarded. This criticism comes from a thematic report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, who visited various Danish detention centers and prisons.

Ombudsman Christian Britten Lundblad emphasizes the importance of meaningful employment for inmates, stating that it provides structure and purpose in their lives while incarcerated. He suggests detention centers should offer cell work with greater utility that isn’t simply thrown away.

The report highlights that better employment opportunities are crucial for preparing inmates for reintegration into society. Lundblad believes that having relevant employment experience is a beneficial way to transition back into society upon release.

The Ombudsman issued recommendations to three detention centers, urging them to continuously evaluate the nature of the cell work they offer. The annual thematic report for 2024 encompassed visits to seven detention centers and three prisons, including Vestre Fængsel detention center. While detention centers house remand prisoners awaiting conviction, prisons hold convicted individuals. However, detention departments exist within prisons, and convicts may serve time in detention centers.

The Ombudsman’s visits revealed a wider range of work opportunities in prisons compared to detention centers. Overall, inmates in prisons expressed greater satisfaction with the available work. Detention centers cited challenges in obtaining sufficient workshop work as opposed to in-cell tasks due to resource constraints.

Besides employment, the report addressed access to visits, concluding that their execution is generally organized in a “satisfactory and appropriate manner.” However, some visiting rooms lacked a welcoming, cozy, or child-friendly atmosphere. The Ombudsman recommends that prisons and detention centers ensure visiting rooms for children are inviting and provide opportunities for activities between inmate parents and their children.