Jacques Mwepu fled to Sweden when the government in his native Congo became increasingly violent and local rebellions arose.
He was 27 at the time and had studied law.
Coming to Sweden in the middle of winter was not easy because of the language and the cold, but he thought it was a clean and nice country.
When Jacques had learned Swedish, he went on to study criminology at Stockholm University, humanities and behavioral sciences at Mälardalen University.
He worked extra as a security guard in Västerås and in the correctional service, which later led to a job as head of the Hinseberg women's prison and now at the institution in Kumla.
Want to show that you can go far in Sweden
On Monday, he is a summer speaker in P1 and will talk about his trip.
He wants to inspire with his life story, he says.
To show that it is possible to get far even if you come to Sweden as a refugee.
He has a lot to tell about the Correctional Service as well.
And about hope.
- I often want to shout that Sweden is an example for other countries.
I have visited prisons in 40 countries.
No one can say that they have 70 percent of inmates who do not reoffend.
We can do that.
He has returned to the Congo a few times since he came to Sweden.
The fact that he has lived longer in Sweden than Congo gives a new perspective.
What do you usually reflect on when you return there?
- That it is chaotic.
The rule of law does not work there.
Jacques Mwepu says that he feels Swedish in general, but with a few exceptions.
- I think you can get better at planting flowers in the cities, especially in Västerås.
And I don't eat breakfast, only on weekends, he says with a big smile.
Hear more about Jacques Mwepu's summer talk in the clip