After several escapes during the spring, harsh criticism has been directed at the Sis homes.
The reason for the lack of security is partly that the legislation has not kept up with the drop in crime in the elderly, but also a lack of space in the homes.
This is what director general Elisabet Åbjörnsson Hollmark tells us.
On Monday, two boys ran away from the Sis home Nereby in Gothenburg. A 15-year-old, who is suspected of a shooting in Gubbängen and a 14-year-old, suspected of a shooting in Fruängen where automatic weapons were fired in a stairwell. In mid-April, a 17-year-old accused of murder was also acquitted when he was on his way to the dentist. He too lived in a Sis home. He was later found and arrested and on Sunday the news came that the 14-year-old and the 15-year-old are also back at home.
District Attorney Lisa dos Santos, who is investigating the shooting where the 14-year-old is a suspect, believes that the system is not suitable for the young serious criminals who are part of the criminal networks.
– I don’t think you should be able to escape when you are in a Sis home and have been involved in that type of crime. It is offensive to the environment and crime victims, but also dangerous, not least for the individual themselves, she says.
Lack of space puts safety at risk
It is not the first time it has happened. According to Si’s own statistics, there were 26 escapes in 2020, 6 in 2021 and 2 last year from closed youth care.
Elisabet Åbjörnsson Hollmark is director general of the Norwegian Institutions Board, what is known as Sis-hem. She says that they divide the residents into different security levels, but due to a lack of space, some can be placed on a lower level. And that is one of the reasons for the escapes.
– I understand the criticism and concern about this. We need to go through all safety assessments and see that we work based on them. And we are working very hard to increase capacity, she says.
Access to mobile
Another problem that is raised with the Sis homes is that the residents have access to mobile phones and the internet, with the exception of short periods. This allows them to continue to have contact with other criminals outside the home. If this is to be limited, the legislation must be changed.
Minister of Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall says that they are now bringing forward the investigation which, among other things, will give the Sis homes the opportunity to limit the residents’ access to mobile phones and the internet.
– These proposals will be on the table before the summer, so this is within a few weeks, she says.