The Swedish Prison Service supports staff well-being from the very start through a structured onboarding and training approach. New employees are paired with mentors during their first three weeks at the local prison, providing them with guidance, support, and a trusted point of contact.
After this initial phase, they work for several months before attending an eight-week basic training course at the Training Academy. Research highlights the importance of a well-designed onboarding process in retaining staff. Feeling welcomed, having space to ask questions, and time to reflect are key to easing the stress of starting a new role. Many new recruits face “the discomforts of the new”—information overload, self-doubt, and isolation. Structured support and mentoring play a crucial role in helping them adjust with confidence.
Discover how mentoring and training can strengthen staff well-being from day one.