Controversial Plans for Housing Swedish Prisoners in Tartu, Estonia
Citizens of Estonia are gathering signatures in opposition to the proposed location of foreign convicts
There's a heated debate brewing in Tartu, Estonia, over the proposal to house Swedish prisoners convicted of serious crimes, such as murders and rapes, within its city limits. The conflicting views have led to the publishing of a petition on the Rahvaalgatus portal.
Detractors of the plan argue that Tartu isn't suitable to house foreign convicts, citing the potential danger these individuals might pose to the local community. They fear that the city's reputation as a safe haven could be tarnished, turning the region into a high-risk area. Advocates insist on making decisions that prioritize the well-being of the community over any potential benefits.
As an alternative, they suggest using the prison facilities for rehabilitating Estonian prisoners or repurposing them for other government needs. Some European countries, like Norway and Belgium, have already adopted the practice of renting prison cells abroad to manage overcrowding issues.
Curiously, the Internal Security Service of Estonia has voiced concerns about the possibility of extremist or international organized crime elements among the incoming Swedish prisoners, which could exacerbate the situation for Estonian inmates [1]. There's also apprehension about visits from individuals linked to such groups.
The deal calls for renting 400 cells in Tartu Prison to accommodate up to 600 Swedish prisoners. Estonia's estimated monthly cost per prisoner is €8,500 compared to around €11,500 in Sweden. The aim is to help address Sweden's prison overcrowding crisis, which has been fueled in part by a surge in violent crime [2][3]. The arrangement requires adjustments to Swedish law and training for Estonian guards by Swedish staff. Estonian law will be enforced, with exceptions to mimic a Swedish prison setting [2][3].
While there's no detailed information on alternative proposals for the prison's use in the context of housing Swedish prisoners, ongoing discussions in Estonia revolve around prison system reform, including a contentious bill proposing the automatic early release of inmates. Despite initially being criticized for its lack of refinement and public approval, this bill underscores broader concerns about prison management and reform in Estonia [4].
The heated debate in Tartu, Estonia, over housing Swedish prisoners, extends to the realm of politics, as some general-news outlets have reported on the controversial plans. Critics express concerns about the potential danger these prisoners might pose to the local community, as well as the tarnishing of Tartu's reputation as a safe haven for crime-and-justice related reasons.
