The Prison and Probation Service Union has voiced strong criticism against the proposed introduction of “security officers” as part of the penal reform, citing concerns about maturity, experience and their ability to function effectively in closed prisons. According to chairman Bo Yde Sørensen, an 18-year-old simply does not possess the necessary maturity and life experience to handle the responsibilities within a prison environment.

The concept of “security officers” is not new. The Prison and Probation Service previously employed a similar type of officer but phased them out in 2009 because they “could not sufficiently participate in the overall task solution.”

The new “security officers” are intended to assist prison officers. While they will be authorized to use force and coercive measures, they are restricted from performing tasks of “greater complexity.” The Justice Ministry clarified that these officers need only be 18 years old and undergo a four-month training program, a stark contrast to the three-year training and 21-year-old age requirement for regular prison officers.

The “security officers” are a component of a broader political agreement on penal reform presented in June, which aims to create 2,000 new prison places by 2036, necessitating an increase in the number of prison officers. Currently, there are 1,850 prison officers, a significant decrease of 1,000 compared to 20 years ago, with the number declining for the past 13 years.