Unions Express Concerns Over Prison Staffing and Safety Risks

The Prison and Probation Service flags for lower staff density, but the trade union Seko sees risks. If you reduce the staff in the client-near area, there is a risk that violence and threats against staff will increase, says Christer Hallqvist at Seko.

» Published: June 26 2025

Unions Express Concerns Over Prison Staffing and Safety Risks
Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

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The Prison and Probation Service is reviewing how the agency will grow in a cost-effective manner and pointed out several key factors in a report.

We must become cost-effective, I believe, but then you have to save in the right things and not in the client-related work, says Christer Hallqvist, union representative for Seko's members in the Prison and Probation Service.

In the report, the Prison and Probation Service notes that single staffing is not uncommon in other countries.

Then I get almost terrified, you have to read between the lines what they mean by that part. It's that we should open up for single staffing within the Prison and Probation Service, and that's something we in Seko are definitely against.

The Prison and Probation Service will increase from 11,000 places to 29,000 in ten years. Christer Hallqvist says that in addition to local supply, personnel supply will become even more important ahead.

It must be an attractive employer and the most important issue is actually the work environment.

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TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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