Working with violent extremist offenders in Stockholm: an interview with assistant governor Michael Laitinen

How did you get involved in working with violent extremist offenders?

I have always been interested in issues regarding ideology, faith and security. My field of expertise is issues surrounding security, which provided me with a gateway to working in the field of violent extremist offenders.  My study background has also provided me with a unique combination of knowledge. I have a law degree, but also spent three years studying history and religion at the university. One of my teachers in religious history is one of Sweden’s most important experts in extremism.

How much do you have to deal with radicalisation in general and on a daily basis in Stockholm?

Radicalisation has been on the rise in Sweden. These individuals belong mostly to Jihadist or right-wing extremist groups. A citizen, on a daily basis, often only comes in contact with this type of offenders via the media or by hearing others talking about this topic. In the parts of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (SPSS) that I work in, these clients are part of the daily routine. In the last couple of years we have had violent extremist offenders serving a probation sentence on a daily basis.

What does your day look like?

My days are extremely varied. I work as an Assistant Governor, which comes with many different tasks, from authorising expenditures for coffee to directing my staff in case of a serious incident. I’m required to stay updated on all the cases that involve violent extremist offenders.  How are they progressing in their behavior and are there any complications? We also need to make plans to continue our work with the specific clients. I spend a lot of time with the probation officers that work with these clients, I coach them and help them with their work.
I try to keep up with this fast changing environment and with the techniques for working with violent extremist offenders. Lately, my main focus has been on how to increase the likelihood of them leaving their respective groups and reintegrate within the society at large.

From time to time I also lecture probation officers within the SPSS and work as an advisor regarding this topic for other departments of the SPPS regarding security issues.

How are the probation offices in Stockholm prepared to deal with violent extremist offenders?

The probation officers that work with violent extremist offenders are chosen specifically for this work. We make sure that they are mentally prepared for the task and that they know what the aspects are that drive these type of offenders to involvement in violent extremism. Since working with these clients is quite demanding on our probation officers, they receive a lot of coaching and usually work in pares when working the most heavy extremist clients. The probation officers always try to steer the clients towards our Entré program.

The Swedish Prison and Probation Service (SPPS) has come up with a counter-radicalisation strategy, the Entré programme, that combines security efforts with intensive treatment to improve the transition of violent extremist offenders that are at risk of reoffending, to the community.  This includes keeping order and security, treating prisoners, parolees and probationers with dignity and respect, as well as providing directed services and programmes to redirect pathways away from violent extremism and the person distances him/herself from their past radicalised lifestyle and violent acts.

Is the Stockholm Probation Service cooperating with other organisations in working with violent extremist offenders?

The government has selected a total of twelve government organisations to cooperate in fighting against violent extremism and organised crime. Therefore, our organisation also cooperates with all of these organisations in one way or another. Amongst these organizations are the Swedish intelligence services, Swedish Tax Agency and The Swedish enforcements agency. This  cooperation has made it possible for the SPPS to gather a more complete picture of what these environments look like and changes that happen within them. It also made it possible to cooperate on a more operative level, such as sharing offices for meetings.