Sweden Secures Agreement to Rent 600 Prison Spaces in Estonia
Sweden finalizes an agreement to rent 600 prison spaces in Estonia to address overcrowding issues.
Key Points
- • Sweden secures 600 prison spaces in Estonia's Tartu facility.
- • The cost is €8,500 per month, lower than in Sweden.
- • Parliamentary approval required for implementation, expected spring 2026.
- • Estonian law will apply with some Swedish exceptions.
Sweden has formalized an agreement with Estonia to rent 600 prison spaces at the Tartu correctional facility, a move aimed at alleviating the country’s ongoing prison overcrowding crisis. Announced on June 4, 2025, by Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer, the arrangement is set to provide 400 rooms that can accommodate a total of 600 inmates through double occupancy, with the first transfers expected by spring 2026, contingent on parliamentary approval and necessary legal adjustments.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sweden will pay €8,500 per inmate per month, which is significantly lower than the average cost of €11,500 for similar placements within Sweden. The decision to secure these spaces comes as Swedish prisons are currently at full capacity, forcing some inmates to share cells, which has heightened concerns about prison conditions.
The rented facility in Estonia is classified as a level 2 security prison, meaning it is suitable for non-violent offenders or those deemed not to pose a significant security risk. Eligible inmates must be male, over 18 years of age, and not require extensive medical care. Estonian law will govern the prison, although exceptions have been made to align certain practices with Swedish correctional standards. This includes supervision by staff from Sweden's criminal enforcement agency to ensure compliance with the agreement’s terms.
The Swedish Parliament will need a three-quarters majority to ratify the contract for it to take effect, and the government has urged dialogue on the proposal with other political parties to garner support. This initiative is seen as a necessary strategy to enhance public safety and effectively manage Sweden's increasing prison population, attributed to rising incarceration rates. Justice Minister Strömmer emphasized the potential benefits this cooperation could bring in supporting Sweden's criminal justice system while aiming to reduce the strain currently placed on domestic facilities.
As Sweden prepares for this significant policy shift, the next steps will hinge on parliamentary discussions and approvals in the coming months, with hopes to implement the agreement by July next year if all goes according to plan.