Sweden Rents Prison Spaces in Estonia to Ease Crime Overflow: A Look into the Prison Rental Agreement
Sweden intends to rent a considerable number of jail cells in Estonia
Sweden is planning to rent prison space in Estonia's Tartu City, specifically the Tartu Prison, to house up to 600 of its convicts. This move is in response to Sweden's notorious prison system nearing capacity, due in part to increased incarceration rates resulting from recent justice reforms[1][4].
The agreement, to be signed in Stockholm on June 15, seeks to capitalize on Estonia's underused prisons, generating income and creating new jobs, while alleviating Sweden's prison overflow[1][3].
In this arrangement, low-risk inmates, including those convicted of murder, economic, or sexual offenses, will be transferred to Estonia. However, individuals posing a higher security risk, such as terrorism or serious organized crime convicts, will remain in Swedish prisons[1][4].
Sweden will be responsible for the maintenance costs related to foreign prisoners, ensuring no extra burden is placed on Estonian taxpayers[1][4]. Moreover, no foreign prisoner will be released in Estonia; all convicts will be returned to Sweden before the end of their sentence[1].
Confronted with a significant gang-related crime issue for several years, Sweden aims to keep convicted gang members within its domestic prisons. However, by transferring other criminals to Estonia, Sweden hopes to create space in domestic prisons[2].
The cost of €8,500 per month per prison space in Estonia has been reported by Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer[2]. The agreement requires approval by the Swedish parliament with a three-quarters majority before taking effect on July 1, 2026[2].
This agreement, initially focusing on prison overcrowding relief, raises potential security concerns, particularly regarding Islamic extremism and international organized crime[5]. It also presents opportunities for Estonia to learn from Sweden's prison rehabilitation practices, which, if well-implemented, could potentially affect gang-related crime indirectly[3].
[1] ntv.de, DPA
[2] ntv.de
[3] euractiv.com
[4] saitamies.fi
[5] estonianworld.com
- The agreement, concerning policy-and-legislation in the realm of politics, will see Sweden's employment policy alter, as they rent prison spaces in Estonia to address their general-news issue of prison overcrowding, resulting from crime-and-justice reforms.
- This action, falling under policy-and-legislation, could bring economic benefits for Estonia through employment opportunities and policy implementation, while simultaneously addressing Sweden's crime-and-justice concern of prison overflow.