Teller Report

After the staff shortage – Hällby prison hires Ukrainian refugees

10/19/2023, 5:45:31 PM

Highlights: After the staff shortage – Hällby prison hires Ukrainian refugees. For a long time, there has been a shortage of staff in the prison and probation service. In total, there are 15 people with mixed professional backgrounds. "Language is the biggest challenge," says Marina Chekasova, one of the newly hired correctional officers. Hear what she will be doing at work and what she thinks about the profession in the clip above. The new approach can be a long-term solution and that it will lead to permanent positions.

For a long time, there has been a shortage of staff in the prison and probation service. Now the Hällby prison in Eskilstuna is trying to hire Ukrainian refugees to solve the situation. "Language is the biggest challenge," says Marina Chekasova, one of the newly hired correctional officers.


In recent years, the number of inmates in the Prison and Probation Service has increased – and with it, the need for more staff. At the same time, many newly arrived Ukrainians are without jobs in Sweden.

As the first prison in the country, Hällby Prison outside Eskilstuna is now testing temporary employment of Ukrainian refugees. In total, there are 15 people with mixed professional backgrounds.

Due to the language challenges, the people have been given a longer introduction to the job where they study Swedish in parallel.

Hoping for permanent positions

Prison director Peter Kjellin hopes that the new approach can be a long-term solution and that it will lead to permanent positions.

"Initially, we thought about how it would work. But now we see that these people are extremely willing to work and loyal. So I think we'll be able to keep the majority of these," says Peter Kjellin.

Marina Chekasova is one of the newly hired correctional officers. Hear what she will be doing at work and what she thinks about the profession in the clip above.