Photo: Mikhail Nilov https://www.pexels.com/sv-se/foto/man-person-kyrka-rum-8717446/

Karin Pettersson works at Tillberga Prison’s learning centre, but also teaches remotely for students at other learning centres in Sweden who need her expertise. She works strategically to include everyone when she teaches, which means individualised teaching and methodology, as well as clarity regarding instructions and routines.

All prisons offer opportunities for education, with inmates receiving help from the Prison and Probation Service’s study and career guidance counsellors. Inmates can study at primary and secondary school levels, Swedish for Immigrants and training for the labour market that is funded by the Swedish Public Employment Service. The Prison and Probation Service also runs its own vocational training at some prisons.

Swedish prisons are divided into three security classes. Those in class 1 are specially adapted for inmates who are assessed as being at particularly high risk of escaping or being broken out. A security class 3 prison has no direct barriers to keep inmates from escaping. Tillberga Prison houses people who are serving sentences for class 3 crimes and has a capacity of 193 people.

 “Many of them want to study, but we prioritise young people under the age of 21 who have a low level of education and are eligible to study at upper-secondary level. If they are older than 21, we review their educational background and their needs. Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough places for everyone,” says Karin Pettersson, who has worked in the prison service for many years.

She really enjoys her job as a teacher in Economics and Swedish for Immigrants. She feels that she makes a difference to every one of the students she meets.

 “They are in control of their studies and their choices. My role is to work with them to draw up individual plans, which we follow until they pass their exams. They are highly motivated, so going to work is enjoyable. It is fantastic that these young adults have qualifications when they leave us, as this gives them opportunities they didn’t previously have,” says Pettersson.

Local and remote education

Karin Pettersson works with prisoners on site at Tillberga Prison’s learning centre, but also teaches remotely for students at other learning centres in Sweden who need her expertise. She works strategically to include everyone when she teaches, which means individualised teaching and methodology, as well as clarity about instructions and routines. Someone could be studying Religion, another person Swedish for Immigrants, and someone else gets help with Mathematics during her lessons. There are up to 30 students divided into two groups.

 “We create tasks that are tailor-made for each individual and we have small study groups, which is better for their learning. I have every opportunity to individualise my teaching, which is great,” says Pettersson

Discover their potential while studying

Each workstation at the learning centre has a computer that prisoners can use for studying. It has useful software and reference works. The computers are also used for remote learning, but students do not have internet access.

 “Sometimes it is difficult to find the right plan, so that it works optimally for everyone,” says Pettersson. “Becoming and staying motivated is a process, but most students here manage to finish their courses and get a qualification.”  

Frequently, her students discover their potential while they are studying. For example, someone who used to find it hard to concentrate, but who has matured and developed, often succeeds in qualifying for a particular profession or for further studies.

 “Some people have good school grades, but – for various reasons – need reskilling or upskilling. We also know that many people apply for further studies after they are released, which is good,” says Pettersson.

Facts: The Swedish Prison and Probation Service

The Prison and Probation Service is a government agency that is responsible for detention centres, prisons and parole services. It works to make Sweden safer, more secure and to reduce recidivism. Its duties include transporting clients between courts, remand centres and prisons, as well as transports on behalf of the Swedish Police and the Migration Agency.