Denmark’s prisons face shortage of guards as Sdr. Omme prepares for expansion

Denmark’s prisons are facing a shortage of guards, a situation that may become more pronounced at Sdr. Omme Prison as it prepares to expand by 200 places in a new closed-off section by the end of next year. This expansion will make it the largest prison in the country, accommodating a total of 422 inmates.

To address the workforce gap, the Danish Prison and Probation Service will launch a new pop-up school within the prison on January 1. The aim is to attract future prison officers, transport officers, and workshop foremen. Bettina Vikkelsø, a prison guard and representative at Sdr. Omme, emphasizes the urgent need for more staff.

The initiative follows successful pop-up schools established in other prisons, including one at Vestre Prison, designed to create a synergy between the educational environment and the future workplace.

Sdr. Omme Prison has operated as an open facility since 1993, housing male inmates from Greater Copenhagen and Jutland. The addition of a closed section will require over 100 uniformed and civilian staff.

Despite past challenges with similar schools, such as the one in Falster, where qualified applicants were scarce, officials remain optimistic about the new program at Sdr. Omme. Kenneth Haubro Andersen, a recruitment chief, notes a positive response from the local area, which includes four significant prisons.

Bettina Vikkelsø warns that a lack of interest in the new program could lead to current staff needing to take on additional shifts. With her 18 years of experience at Sdr. Omme, she describes her job as “the best in the world” but stresses the importance of bringing in new recruits.

Today, the prison is holding an open house event to discuss the new school, which anticipates enrolling students in January, April, August, and October next year. More than 500 people have registered for the event.