Last summer, SVT Nyheter Jönköping reviewed the conditions at the municipal LSS accommodation in Gnosjö where disabled Alexander lived with staff for several years. Alexander, who suffers from severe social problems and extensive self-harm behavior, has 24-hour supervision. SVT's investigation showed, among other things, that an employee had been reported for assault by Alexander and another former employee told how they used to lock him in.

Following the attention of the Assignment Review, the JO did an unannounced inspection this spring. In the statement now presented by the authority, serious criticism is directed at Gnosjö municipality for how Alexander was kept locked up for most of the day and only allowed to leave the home for shorter walks and car trips. According to the municipality, the purpose of the lock-up was to prevent Alexander from escaping or injuring himself.

Although JO does not dispute that the measure has taken place in all well-being, it is believed that it has meant a deprivation of liberty which is not compatible with LSS, and that Alexander could not leave the accommodation when he wanted to.

“Although the staff felt the measure was necessary, I can state that on a direct question they could not answer what they thought would happen if the user was unlocked. It thus appears in my eyes that it was not really clear why this very far-reaching action was taken, ”writes JO Thomas Norling.

"This means that the user has been deprived of liberty without legal support for several years"

Footnote: Alexander, who is really called something else, now lives in another municipality.

In the clip below, a former employee shows how to lock in "Alexander".

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