In June 2022, an employee is arrested at the detention center in Borås, suspected of gross misconduct. She immediately admits that she has disseminated classified information on behalf of outsiders.
An internal investigation reveals that she passed on information from inmates in custody:
“It all happens in such a way that “X” asks to go to the toilet, he doesn’t say anything until he comes back and is about to enter the cell, then he says “toilet” to NN, who then realizes that there is something there. NN finds a folded piece of paper (4-5 cm) in the trash can in the toilet. The note contains names and numbers and NN takes a picture of it with her mobile phone.”
Clear safety trend
In recent years, three cases of infiltration within the Correctional Service have led to convictions. But there are significantly more cases that do not reach the courts, where employees themselves have chosen to resign before the suspicions can be confirmed.
People applying to the Probation Service with the aim of acting as insiders has become a more common problem, says Josefin Skoglund, section manager at the department for special investigations within the Probation Service.
– I think it reflects society in general, many of the criminals have other abilities and that is what is also shown in infiltration attempts in our business.
Difficulties in recruiting increase the risk
In the Prison Service’s latest annual report described increased risks for unauthorized influence and infiltration as the single most important security trend right now.
It is linked, among other things, to the rapid expansion the authority is currently undergoing and difficulties in recruiting staff.
The fact that the number of inmates with links to organized crime, especially those belonging to the leadership levels, has increased is described as another risk factor.
“These inmates are generally judged to have a high intention and ability to exercise unauthorized influence,” writes the authority.
Hear about three cases of infiltration within the Correctional Service in the clip above.