Security Agency accepts dangerous individuals

Minister of Health Alma Möller says that many violent issues that have arisen recently have led to a special emphasis on setting up a security institution.

Its purpose is to consider the issues of individuals who have fallen between the ship and the dock in the system and are dangerous to themselves and others in the community.

At the same time, it was announced that the number of spaces in the security department will be increased from eight to sixteen.

« There have been issues recently that have shown how urgent the need is and how important it is to address them. These incidents have really shown the need to find resources that works, » says Alma.

One of the cases that Alma refers to is the case of Alfreð Erling Þórðarson, who killed a couple in Neskaupstaður in August last year. Alfreð was assessed as incorrect and was thus acquitted of the prosecution’s criminal claim. Despite the incapacity, the court concluded that Alfreð had killed the couple. Alfreð performed the work of the work a few weeks after being ruled out in a compulsory psychiatric ward. He was discharged from the psychiatric ward at his own request and the ruling thereby expired.

Spaces added on Kleppi

According to Elma, the security department will be located at Kleppi. There is now room for eight individuals, but they will be sixteen after the construction.

No decision has been made as to whether these individuals will be stored in a psychiatric that is scheduled to be built. A plot has not been found under the house, but according to Elma, there is an active conversation with the City of Reykjavik to find the psychiatric location. She also expects the cost of it to be laid out in next year’s financial plan.

« The Forenson and Security Department will be expanded inside Kleppi. In the long term, more spaces may require. However, this is the number of spaces that Landspítali has asked for, » says Alma.

Compatible safety

Now it is time to set up a security agency. What purpose does she serve?

« It is on behalf of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing. But the idea is that this institution will take over after serving reviews. That this will be a step-by-step remedy depending on what each one needs. Now people who need security are located here and there.

Will increased security authorities be allowed under this hat?

« It has completely lacked resources for people who are serving a sentence, people who are even dangerous themselves and others. These people can be uneven and the intention is to coordinate these issues between local and health care and other, » says Alma.

The law amended

An announcement from the Government on a Security Agency and the enlarged security department states that Thorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir, the Minister of Justice, will submit a bill amending VII. section of the Criminal Code, which deals with security measures, as well as, as the case may be, more laws pertaining to the issue.

In addition, the Ministry of Elma Möller will draft a bill amending the law on the rights of patients concerning the compulsion in health care because of these changes.

Have to be available

« We prefer not to use a compulsion in health care, for example in the psychiatric ward. But it may be necessary in exceptional cases and it should work with stakeholders such as mental health and others.