frigång

Frigång is a Swedish term meaning free movement granted to residents of certain institutions to leave their assigned area for a limited period under supervision. It typically refers to time outside a cell or ward, often outdoors, but can also include movement within a campus or between facilities, depending on the setting. The concept is used in contexts such as prisons, psychiatric or forensic hospitals, and other care facilities, as part of risk management, rehabilitation, or treatment planning.

In prisons, frigång typically refers to time outside the cell or yard under supervision, with defined rules and return times. In healthcare and eldercare, it can mean supervised access to common areas, gardens, or permitted outings within a secured area. The exact permissions, durations, and supervision levels vary by institution, jurisdiction, and individual risk assessments; staff may revoke frigång if safety concerns arise.

Originally from fri ("free") and gång ("going"), the term conveys free movement within defined limits. In Swedish practice today, frigång remains primarily an institutional term, signaling a balance between security and autonomy in rehabilitation and care.