Ömer Sen, a dedicated prison officer, tragically took his own life outside Tidaholm Prison, citing workplace harassment and unfair treatment. His widow, Aynur Sen, claims the Swedish Prison and Probation Service failed him, leading to his death. An investigation into the incident and the handling of his employment case has been initiated.
Tragic Death of Prison Officer Ömer Sen Sparks Investigation
Tragic Death of Prison Officer Ömer Sen Sparks Investigation
He loved his job as a prison officer, but felt his employer turned his last year into a nightmare. Ömer Sen, 51, set himself on fire outside Tidaholm Prison where he worked.
– The Prison Service failed him, they drove him to his death, says his widow Aynur Sen. The Prison Service has announced an investigation.
On Monday, July 19, just before 7 PM, SOS Alarm received a report of an incident outside Tidaholm Prison. A man, employed at the prison, had set himself on fire – and he died the same day from his injuries.
The deceased was Ömer Sen, 52, who had worked as a prison officer for 23 years. His widow Aynur Sen describes him as someone who loved his job and was loyal to his employer – but she says he was harassed and treated unfairly by the Prison Service in his final years, leading to the tragedy.
"Felt Humiliated and Harassed"
– Ömer was a good person, he was generous and helped everyone. He was a pillar of support for everyone he met, both in work and private life. But in the last two years, he was humiliated and harassed by the Prison Service, he lost the joy of working, says Aynur Sen, 50, on Thursday.
– He was known for following all laws and rules. He was a well-liked colleague. He helped inmates and received thank-you letters from them, she says.
But on January 17, 2024, an incident occurred that changed his life. Colleagues reported him for excessive force against an inmate. This happened after he himself had reported the incident to his boss – because he felt two colleagues acted inappropriately when they entered an inmate's cell and said "now he will get what he deserves," his wife explains.
Employer Wanted to Dismiss Him
– The employer wanted to dismiss Ömer. An internal investigation was conducted, but the Personnel Responsibility Board determined there was not enough evidence for dismissal as witness statements were contradictory and no injuries were documented on the inmate, says Aynur Sen.
– Despite this, he was reported to the police by the Prison Service for assault. Ömer was due to go to trial on September 1. They took away his duties as a prison officer, and he had to work as a janitor, she says.
She says the police report was made only when it became clear her husband did not intend to resign voluntarily. A long difficult period followed during which he felt immense pressure at work, according to what he told his wife and wrote in diary entries.
Eventually, he agreed with the employer to resign. He was to work until the end of July and receive a salary until the end of the year.
"Full of Hope"
– Ömer was not well. Normally he was stable and strong, but now he sought professional help from a counselor. He took antidepressants for a short period, he was on sick leave off and on, says Aynur Sen.
– At the same time, he was full of hope and future plans. He explored new job opportunities, we planned to go on a motorcycle holiday in Europe. And he was full of confidence ahead of the trial, she says.
She was on vacation in Turkey with the couple's two sons when she received the shocking news of his death at nine in the evening. She had spoken to her husband earlier in the day and says he talked and laughed with the sons, but she still thought he seemed unusually tired.
– I asked if something had happened. He replied that it had been "a tough day at work, they have been on me again." I said he should stay home from work since he only had just over a week left, but he said "it will pass," Aynur Sen recounts.
– After the call, he shopped online, cooked, and prepared a lunchbox for the next day which he put in the fridge. Then he drove to the prison, about a half-hour by car. I don't know what happened, something must have triggered him, she says.
Declined Memorial Service
She says she has received very little information from the Prison Service. They contacted her from Tidaholm Prison and asked if she wanted to attend a memorial service for Ömer, but she declined.
– I wonder about so many things. When the alarm went off, it took five, six minutes before help arrived. Could no one have gone out to extinguish the fire, did they stand and watch as he burned, says Aynur Sen.
– Ömer fought for justice during the difficult years. He was accused of something he didn't do. He was subjected to structural bullying, pressure, and lack of support from the employer. I have asked the Work Environment Authority to initiate an independent investigation, she says.
"Decided to Initiate an Investigation"
Expressen asked the Prison Service for a comment and received the response that they "today" decided to investigate the personnel matter.
– It is, of course, a terrible and tragic event to have to handle. I understand and regret the incredibly difficult situation the employee's wife is in, even though I cannot fully understand how she feels, says Anne Enström, acting HR director at the Prison Service, on Thursday.
– Tidaholm Prison has a mandate to investigate the incident from a work environment perspective to determine if the employer has done what can be expected of them before and after the incident. We have also decided today to initiate an investigation into the handling of the personnel matter, she says.