In recent days, SVT has been reporting on security gaps and a widespread culture of silence within the correctional system.

This is revealed through a survey that Seko representatives at 22 of the highest-security institutions in Sweden have answered. 

After the reporting, many similar testimonies have poured in. 

One person writes: "We have long said that you don't dare speak up to your bosses because you are afraid of reprisals.

There is talk of ending up in the freezer.

In one of your features I saw exactly the same thing and the same expression from the other side of the country!

Scary."

"Disastrous situation"

Experienced correctional officers have chosen to leave: "I have resigned after 12 years with the correctional service because of everything you brought up". 

But also new leaves: "I worked for barely two weeks before I took sick leave and promised myself to NEVER set foot in the Correctional Service again.

The working climate and the way people are treated in detention is among the absolute worst I have ever experienced.”

Several also write about the difficulty with staffing and that staff must be loaned out between institutions.

Others write about the difficulty of taking holidays, long work shifts and a lot of overtime.  

"The situation that the correctional service finds itself in right now is a catastrophic situation, we have long since crossed all borders", says a correctional officer.

"The question is what the price will be"

The testimonies also come from former inmates, relatives and former employees - with two things in common for almost everyone who writes;

retellings of difficult events and demands for change.

Documents, audio files and tips have also arrived.

But against the promise of anonymity. 

One writes: "You are welcome to use what is in the investigation but do not want it to be inferred to me as it would not only affect me but also my closest colleagues." 

Another writes:

"It's only a matter of time before we have really serious situations at the correctional service, the only question is what the price will be before politicians and managers wake up".

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Testimony about fights, threats and untrained staff in SVT's survey: "It's only a matter of time before something serious happens" Photo: SVT, TT