veil of Swedish secrecy in Estonia unveiled
Sweden Rents Prison Cells from Estonia to Alleviate Overcrowding
Sweden is renting up to 600 prison cells from Estonia to address the growing issue of overcrowding in its prisons, driven by a surge in gang violence and longer prison sentences. The agreement between the two countries, signed in June 2025, is designed to alleviate the strain on Sweden's prison and probation services by using Estonia's underutilized facilities [1][2].
The transfer process of prisoners is expected to begin in 2026, pending parliamentary approval in both countries. Authorities are considering the logistics carefully, including transportation for prisoners and their families, to ensure that the process is managed appropriately given the 400 km distance across the Baltic Sea [1][2].
Swedish prisoners will follow the same daily routine as other inmates in Estonia and occupy similar cells. Communication between Estonian prison staff and Swedish inmates will be conducted in English [1]. Swedish prisoners will not be granted outdoor exercise or released in Estonia; they will be returned to Sweden at least a month before the end of their sentence.
The conditions and standards for prison in Estonia and Sweden are comparable, according to Kuuse, the head of Estonia's Prison Service [1]. However, contact between Estonian inmates is not planned, aiming to prevent potential networking of criminals between Estonia and Sweden.
The decision to rent prison cells in Estonia comes as Sweden faces a high prison occupancy rate among EU countries, with a rate of 112.6 in the latest comparison year of 2023 [1]. The overcrowding issue has become severe enough to prompt the government to seek external solutions to manage the prisoner population effectively [1][2].
Estonia has more than halved its prison population since 2010 through changes in the law, better crime prevention, and preventive work [1]. The country has the lowest occupancy rate (56.2) in the entire EU, making it an attractive option for Sweden to house its criminals [1].
The annual minimum payment Estonia will receive from Sweden for providing 300 prison places is 30.6 million euros [1]. Leasing the cells could help retain prison staff who are also involved in other areas of internal security [1].
Estonia has held talks with the UK and the Netherlands, but only with Sweden did this lead to concrete negotiations for renting out prison places [1]. The Swedish government pays 8,500 euros per prisoner per month for each additional prison place in Estonia [1].
Despite the benefits, some experts believe that 600 rented cells will be insufficient, given projections that Sweden may have around 40,000 inmates in total [2]. Sweden plans to introduce prisons for young offenders next year, replacing current detention centers for minors, highlighting broader reforms that respond to rising youth crime rates and prison population pressures [2].
The Swedish government has turned to Estonia, which has the lowest occupancy rate in the EU, to house Swedish criminals, aiming to reduce costs and manage the prison population more effectively. The agreement is seen as beneficial for both sides, a kind of win-win situation, by Estonia's head of the Prison Service, Rait Kuuse [1].
Politics surrounding the decision of Sweden renting prison cells from Estonia have intensified, with general-news outlets debating the potential impact on national security. Some politicians question whetherimi personnel in Estonia will be properly vetted and whether sensitive information may be at risk.
This arrangement between Sweden and Estonia could set a precedent in the field of general-news, signifying a new approach to prison management and potential collaborations among EU countries to address pressing issues like overcrowding.
