Annika Östberg is 65 years old. She grew up in Stockholm. Her mother married an American when Annika was 11 years old. Then they moved to the United States. Annika didn't like it. At 13, she escaped from home and started taking drugs. She then lived in California.

Annika was convicted of double murder of a restaurant owner and a police officer in the United States in 1981.

Up to 3,000 female prisoners

For 28 years, Annika sat in the California Institution for Women prison as a convicted prisoner. In 2009 she came home to Sweden and two years later Annika was released from the Prison Service. Most recently, she was at the Basta labor cooperative in Nykvarn. There was a dog day at the facility.

Bought a golden retriver

Christmas 2012, Annika moved to Bergvik. She had bought her own dog, Tasha. Annika bought her as a puppy from Attigården in Johannedal outside Sundsvall.

Started training dogs already 15 years ago

Tasha is now eight years old and she is the mother of Ebba who has now turned three. Already in 2004, Annika started training dogs at the facility in California.

- Yes it saved my life because I was very depressed after my last request for grace. So all of a sudden I found out that we were going to train dogs. It gave me a reason to put my feet on the floor. It saved me, says Annika Östberg.

The dream, meanwhile, was in prison

Annika's grandmother grew up in Söderhamn. Annika went there as a child and spent time with her cousins ​​during the summer.

- Very funny, very nice. So this is where I dreamed when I was in prison. So when I came home and started looking for houses, it felt natural to close the circle and come here, says Annika Östberg.