Large increase of violence and threats against staff at the detention centers

At the state's special youth detention placed labeling the detainees young people who need to be kept locked up. The reason for the tvångsomhändertagandet according to Law for the care of the young, LVU, varies, but usually depends on destructive behaviour, substance abuse or crime. On six of the 23 ungdomshemmen, there are special places for inpatient care, where young people who have committed serious crimes are serving their sentences.

the Demand for such sites has increased substantially in recent years. The rate of expansion has been high and up to 2022 is planned for a further 100 places.

inside the institutions. DN's review shows that the number of reports about events that affect the staff, have more than tripled since 2013. Back then, there was a total of 752 cases. Last year was notified 2674.

the DN has taken the part of a large part reports. They testify how the staff may receive kicks, punches, spit and threats against themselves and their families.

A large part of the reports from the now-closed ungdomshemmet Lövsta is about understaffing.

”Security and trygghetsmässigt it is not good to be in the department when there are fewer staff with many young people in the department. If the young person starts to become violent against each other or against the staff, then human resources can not save themselves and other young people. We have worked throughout the session in such a fear that it would happen,” it says in a report from november 2018.

the most Commonly used headings is ”violence without a weapon”, reported 1021 times in the last year. The second most common is verbal threats, 454 notifications, in 2018.

Bedroom in a home for young people. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen/TT

explanations. Increased anmälningsbenägenhet is a, according to the Sis press secretary Stefan Hell Fröding.

" There is a high number, which we take seriously. But we have in recent years encouraged employees to report and rapporteringsviljan has increased.

the principal union safety representative Jimmy Haller has a different picture.

" Whatever you can say that violence and threats have increased in recent years. The employer usually say they do not know if people are reporting more, or if there is more, but the signals to the protection arrangements is that there is more.

Why the violence has increased is hard to put your finger on, " says Haller.

– the Signals to us is that it is tougher jargon and clientele. There is a greater våldskapital among our clients and students. Their way to get their way is to use violence.

There is a larger våldskapital among our clients and students,

the agency's problems with staff recruitment.

– It means that there has been a lot timvikarier. When you do not have a stable and confident staff group, that affects it also.

Staff receive 14 hours of training per year to meet violence.

– 14 hours to meet one of Sweden's most one that acts out violently groups. It goes without saying that it is too little, " says Jimmy Haller.

Stefan Hell Fröding on the Sis says that no one should have to be exposed to violence and threats at work, but refers to the Sis survey does not indicate any changes in perceived insecurity.

" It's about the same numbers from year to year.

According to Hell Fröding compliance incident reports up, and notifications are made in accordance with lex Sarah, and to the Swedish work environment authority.

" No, not every event, but many.

" We know that the frequency of notification has increased. But our youth is acting out. 53% of them report that they have difficulty controlling their behaviour when they get angry.

In recent years, Sis have been difficult to recruit staff. In the autumn of 2016 was lowered kompetenskravet for administrative assistants to it at all would be possible to be able to man the ungdomshemmen.

– Now, it looks a little better. We could remove the exemption for kompetenskravet in the autumn, says Hell Fröding.

" No, not all the times. When embarking on Sis to get these courses and you should get them updated every year. It usually occurs. But I can't say that it happens always.

If huvudskyddsombudets criticism for short training "says Stefan Hell Fröding:

" I can't answer whether it is enough. Some employees may need to be more than 14 hours and others may need less. But all need to keep this fresh in the memory and all need to practice.

We are lagging behind a little bit, but it has started the light

at the end of February the report ”An authority in the decay” which highlights the widespread abuses within the Sis. In a from answer 65 percent to threats at work may occur, and 41 per cent said that the violence occur each week.

" It is clear that the Sis is an authority who are in free fall. The working environment for the employees is under all the criticism and the clients do not get the treatment that they are entitled to, said the president of the Valle Karlsson when the report was released.

But the report gave no direct implications within the Sis.

" We know the challenges mentioned and we are working with measures. It has been a hard press for a long time and it has been stressful. We are lagging behind a little bit, but it has begun to ease. We can offer you a place directly now, we can follow the law, " says Stefan Hell Fröding.

the DN Debate: Too much coercion and too little competence in the detention centers