Staffing reduced as more are to be imprisoned

A tripling of places in remand prisons and institutions awaits the Prison and Probation Service over the next ten years. To manage the enormous expansion, the authority is forced to reduce staffing density by 30 percent, according to a new report. We already have an extremely strained situation today, says the Chairman of the Trade Union Seko.

» Published: March 13 2025

Staffing reduced as more are to be imprisoned
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Currently, around 11,000 places in prisons and institutions need to grow to 29,000 by 2034.

The figures come from a report from the authority. While waiting for decisions from the government and parliament on the Tidö Agreement's criminal policy reforms, they refer to four scenarios regarding the size of the expansion, based on which political decisions are ultimately made.

Reduced staffing

Being able to use ankle monitors to a greater extent, instead of prison sentences, is an example that is believed to reduce the burden. But if the proposal to tighten the routines for conditional release comes into force, the need may become even greater.

No matter how the development turns out, we see a very large expansion ahead of us, says the Director-General of the Prison and Probation Service, Martin Holmgren.

Although the number of places is to be tripled, it is estimated that it will be difficult to increase the staff by more than a doubling. The staffing density will therefore need to be reduced by 30 percent, according to the report.

A special challenge, according to Holmgren, who sees smarter working methods and increased digitalization as tools for the transformation. This despite already seeing risks with double occupancy of inmates, security issues, and work environment issues.

Increased risks

The chairman of the trade union Seko, Gabriella Lavecchia, views the prognosis of reduced staffing density seriously and says that the situation for the union's members in the Prison and Probation Service is already strained.

Working with smarter working methods and more technical tools can, according to her, only be seen as a complement, rather than something that can replace staff.

We see that threats and violence are increasing, undue influence is increasing. We see with great concern that we are heading towards a situation where staffing density decreases further.

According to the Prison and Probation Service's report, about 80 percent of all institutional places are theoretically possible to test for double occupancy, which, according to Lavecchia, increases the risks. Today, around two-thirds of the inmates in institutions already share rooms.

It's something you can have when it's necessary, but it can't be the new normal, she says.

Around 11,000 places in institutions and prisons are to become 29,000 by 2034.

The figure is an estimate, based on scenarios about which reforms come into force.

If all reforms and proposals in the government's reform agenda come into force during the term of office, the need is estimated to be 38,500 places. The largest difference lies in whether the system for conditional release is changed.

But proposals that, for example, make it possible to serve sentences in other ways can also mean that the need in 2034 is instead 18,000 places.

During the same period, the staff in the Prison and Probation Service's core operations are to go from around 14,000 to 28,700.

Source: The Prison and Probation Service.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Genre image
1 MIN READ

One Detained Following Explosions in Trollhättan

Sweden's Cardinal Arborelius: A Humble
5 MIN READ

Sweden's Cardinal Arborelius: A Humble Voice in Catholic Leadership

Human Remains Discovered in Freezer,
1 MIN READ

Human Remains Discovered in Freezer, Suspect Detained in Sweden

Police Deploy Drones at Malmö
1 MIN READ

Police Deploy Drones at Malmö Airport for Security After Climate Protest

Fredrick Federley Enters Church Election
1 MIN READ

Fredrick Federley Enters Church Election in Västerås Diocese

Chocolate's Shelf Life: Why It
3 MIN READ

Chocolate's Shelf Life: Why It Lasts Longer Than You Think

Proposal to Rename Arlanda Airport
1 MIN READ

Proposal to Rename Arlanda Airport to Alfred Nobel Airport Gains Support

Man Arrested in Connection with
1 MIN READ

Man Arrested in Connection with Suspected Rape at Stockholm Nightclub

Stem Cell Trials Offer New
2 MIN READ

Stem Cell Trials Offer New Hope for Advanced Parkinson's Treatment

Fire Destroys Barn, 30 Animals
1 MIN READ

Fire Destroys Barn, 30 Animals Lost; 170 Rescued Nearby

Police Nationwide to Tackle Sugar
1 MIN READ

Police Nationwide to Tackle Sugar Dating with New Proactive Measures

Explosion Damages Malmö Apartment Door,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Damages Malmö Apartment Door, No Injuries Reported

Teen Receives Medical Attention After
1 MIN READ

Teen Receives Medical Attention After Dog Bite in Linköping

Man Fined for Explosion Caused
1 MIN READ

Man Fined for Explosion Caused by Attempt to Deep-Fry Chili Cheese

Climate Activists Arrested on Malmö
1 MIN READ

Climate Activists Arrested on Malmö Airport Runway

Extreme Weather and Viruses Threaten
2 MIN READ

Extreme Weather and Viruses Threaten Global Blood Donation Supply

Riders and Horses Rescued from
1 MIN READ

Riders and Horses Rescued from Bog Near Karlstad Airport

Five Rescued from Burning Fishing
1 MIN READ

Five Rescued from Burning Fishing Boat Near Strömstad

Avalanche Risk High in Swedish
1 MIN READ

Avalanche Risk High in Swedish Mountains: Stay Clear of Steep Slopes

Understanding April's Unpredictable Weather: Insights
2 MIN READ

Understanding April's Unpredictable Weather: Insights from a Meteorologist

Sweden Boosts Egg Exports as
3 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Egg Exports as Bird Flu Hits Global Supply

Man Jailed for Missing Military
1 MIN READ

Man Jailed for Missing Military Exercise to Care for Children

Three Nighttime Explosions Rock Western
1 MIN READ

Three Nighttime Explosions Rock Western Sweden, No Arrests Made

Second Explosion Hits Stockholm Apartment
1 MIN READ

Second Explosion Hits Stockholm Apartment This Year

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Kalmarposten Closes After 35 Years Due to Advertising Revenue Shortfall

Police Probe Possible Link Between
2 MIN READ

Police Probe Possible Link Between Gislaved Shooting and Värnamo Stabbing

Fire at Umeå's Abandoned Industrial
1 MIN READ

Fire at Umeå's Abandoned Industrial Site Extinguished

Police Investigate Gunshot Sounds Near
1 MIN READ

Police Investigate Gunshot Sounds Near Swedish Airbase

Two Arrested in Connection with
1 MIN READ

Two Arrested in Connection with Biskopsgården Double Murder

Man Convicted of Gross Sexual
2 MIN READ

Man Convicted of Gross Sexual Assault for Allowing Child to Touch Genitals

Iran Takes Legal Action Against
1 MIN READ

Iran Takes Legal Action Against Sweden and Others Over 2020 Plane Incident

Two Detained in Södermanland Over
1 MIN READ

Two Detained in Södermanland Over Suspected Fatal Incident

Police Recover Escaped Boys from
1 MIN READ

Police Recover Escaped Boys from Sollefteå Sis Home; Investigation Launched

Care Company Profits Millions from
1 MIN READ

Care Company Profits Millions from Unused Elderly Home Spaces

Convicted Man Escapes Custody During
1 MIN READ

Convicted Man Escapes Custody During Hospital Visit in Sweden

Swedes Evacuated from Gaza Share
1 MIN READ

Swedes Evacuated from Gaza Share Relief and Longing for Home