Sweden wants to send inmates to Estonian prisons | Focus on Europe

Summary

Sweden's prisons, particularly Västervik Norra, are overcrowded, operating at 141% capacity. To address this, Sweden is considering relocating inmates to Estonian prisons, which have ample space and modern facilities. Estonia, with its low incarceration rates, focuses on rehabilitation and empathy, in contrast to Sweden's stricter programs. While Sweden is willing to pay for the arrangement, critics on both sides worry about differing prison cultures and the risk of introducing dangerous criminals. The initiative could relieve pressure on Sweden’s prisons and allow Estonia to earn millions in the process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Västervik Norra is an overcrowded prison in southern Sweden, housing over 250 inmates, and operating at 141% capacity.
• 😀 Sweden's prison overcrowding is a result of tougher laws, with the number of inmates growing drastically over time.
• 😀 The overcrowding issue has led to Sweden considering Estonia as a potential solution for housing its prisoners.
• 😀 Estonia's Tartu prison, located 600 km from Sweden, has plenty of available space and could house Swedish convicts.
• 😀 Estonia's crime rate was high in the 1990s, prompting the construction of many prisons, though the country now has the lowest incarceration rates in the EU.
• 😀 Estonia's Tartu prison has world-class facilities and a low number of inmates, making it ideal for housing additional prisoners.
• 😀 Living conditions in Tartu prison are comparable to Sweden's, with similar cell sizes and additional amenities like TV and radio.
• 😀 Estonia is offering a cost-effective solution, with Sweden prepared to pay €8500 per inmate per month for housing prisoners in Estonia.
• 😀 Sweden's prison system requires inmates to engage in rehabilitation activities, such as work programs, education, or therapy, unlike Estonia's more relaxed approach.
• 😀 Critics in Sweden are skeptical about exporting prisoners for simple detention, while critics in Estonia worry about the impact of bringing violent, organized criminals.
• 😀 Estonia's prison system is focused on empathy and understanding, influenced by the post-Soviet shift towards a more dynamic and rehabilitative approach to incarceration.

Q & A

What is the main problem faced by Västervik Norra prison in Sweden?

Västervik Norra prison is overcrowded, with a capacity strain due to an increasing number of inmates. The prison is operating at 141% capacity.

How has Sweden's crime policy contributed to the overcrowding issue?

Sweden has enacted tougher laws to combat crime, which has led to an increase in the number of inmates in the country, thus contributing to the overcrowding in prisons like Västervik Norra.

Why is Estonia considered a potential solution for Sweden's prison overcrowding?

Estonia has relatively empty prisons, like the one in Tartu, which has space for 600 inmates. Since its incarceration rates are low, Estonia could house Swedish prisoners, relieving overcrowding in Swedish prisons.

What is the capacity of the prison in Tartu, Estonia?

The prison in Tartu can hold up to 600 inmates.

What are some of the differences between the conditions in Swedish and Estonian prisons?

Swedish prisons, like Västervik Norra, require inmates to participate in work, school, or treatment programs, while Estonian prisons focus more on empathy and understanding. Estonian inmates are not required to work or attend programs to the same extent.

How does Estonia ensure a more rehabilitative approach in its prisons?

Estonian prisons emphasize empathy, understanding, and addressing the underlying issues that cause criminal behavior, rather than relying solely on surveillance and punishment.

What concerns have critics in Sweden raised regarding the export of prisoners to Estonia?

Critics in Sweden are skeptical about exporting prisoners, fearing that it could turn into a simple detention solution rather than offering rehabilitation or addressing the inmates' underlying issues.

What are the main concerns in Estonia about housing Swedish prisoners?

Critics in Estonia are concerned that introducing violent and well-organized criminals from Sweden could lead to stricter prison rules and an increased focus on severity rather than empathy.

How does Estonia plan to deal with potential challenges from Swedish inmates?

Estonian authorities in Tartu are already training staff to balance empathy and understanding with the need to apply force when necessary. They are preparing to manage more serious offenders.

What types of prisoners would potentially be transferred to Estonia under the proposed plan?

The proposed plan would involve sending adult men convicted of crimes such as murder, sexual offenses, and white-collar crime to Estonia. However, members of terrorist networks or organized crime groups would remain in Swedish prisons.