Prison Staff and Inmates Detained on Serious Corruption Charges

An investigation led by the prosecutor's office in Gothenburg has resulted in the detention of five individuals, including prison employees and inmates, on suspicions of severe corruption offenses. The inquiry began in Gothenburg, with one of the suspects located there, but law enforcement operations commenced at the Norrtälje correctional facility--a high-security prison that accommodates approximately 250 inmates, many of whom are convicted of serious crimes and have affiliations with organized crime groups.

According to official sources, a prison officer was recently suspended due to an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. Early on Wednesday morning, police conducted searches and made arrests within the facility, which employs around 250 staff members. Another staff member, who had previously resigned, is also among those implicated in the investigation.

In addition to the two inmates apprehended at Norrtälje, two more detainees were transferred to another facility for security reasons. The prison administration confirmed that, of the two staff members not currently working for the correctional service, one has no ongoing employment, while the other has been temporarily relieved of duty. The investigation period for the alleged offenses dates back to early September, and all five suspects have denied the allegations during interrogations. Details surrounding the suspected offenses are being withheld until after upcoming court hearings.

The case also involves a person suspected of facilitating the alleged scheme from outside the prison system, suggesting that the network of activity may extend beyond correctional staff and inmates. According to reports from Swedish media, the allegations include the smuggling of mobile phones to inmates with links to organized criminal networks, notably those associated with the prolonged and violent gang conflict in the Biskopsgården area of Gothenburg.

Additional information indicates that two of the detained inmates have connections to the so-called Södra Biskop gang network, with one currently serving a lengthy sentence for a high-profile murder case from May 2020. Authorities have not commented further on the specifics of these connections pending formal court decisions regarding pre-trial detention.

Sources within the Norrtälje facility have indicated that the issue of illicit mobile phone smuggling has been a persistent problem, contributing to safety concerns for both staff and inmates. The unauthorized use of mobile phones in prison environments poses significant risks, as it can facilitate the planning of criminal activities, including escape attempts and further offenses. The correctional services' security division has reported a notable increase in the number of confiscated mobile devices, rising from 76 in 2023 to 133 in the following year, despite a strict ban on such items.

Correctional authorities have emphasized the gravity of unauthorized communication within prisons, highlighting its potential to undermine efforts to prevent ongoing criminal activity, compromise the safety of victims, and erode public trust in the justice system. The investigation remains ongoing, with further details expected following forthcoming judicial proceedings.