The Swedish Ombudsman (JO) has raised serious concerns about the conditions at the Åstorp detention center, following previous reports of mistreatment and neglect, including improper medication for detainees and incidents of violence against staff. Various issues have been noted, such as detainees living in windowless rooms, insufficient outdoor time, and disrespectful treatment from personnel. JO has emphasized the need for humane living conditions, citing a safety risk when individuals struggling with mental health issues are confined to inadequate spaces.

Maria Lindgren, the section chief at Åstorp detention, acknowledged that incidents do occur but insists that the majority of staff interaction is professional. In response to past criticisms, she mentioned that measures have already been implemented, including rearranging beds to provide more space for the detainees. This demonstrates an attempt by the facility to address some of the issues pointed out during the inspections.

The criticism from the JO stems from a series of unannounced inspections carried out in the facility where it was noted that not a single room met safety and space standards. Justitieombudsman Per Lennerbrant highlighted the importance of ensuring adequate space for detainees, particularly for those with mental health vulnerabilities. This could have broader implications for the management of detention centers across Sweden, as it raises questions about the adequacy of existing oversight and the treatment of individuals in such facilities.