Background & Purpose
Sweden is currently facing a severe shortage of prison cells and remand spaces. With tougher laws and longer sentences being introduced, the need for more prison spots is growing rapidly, creating an urgent need to build faster.
The Decision
The Swedish parliament voted yes to the government's proposal, meaning temporary building permits can now be granted much faster for prisons. The government also gets special powers to temporarily bypass standard planning and building laws to speed up construction.
Does this affect you?
- Swedish Prison and Probation Service: They will be able to expand their facilities and build temporary prisons much faster to relieve overcrowded cells.
- Local Municipalities: They must adapt to faster approval processes and potential government bypasses of local building and planning rules.
- Construction Companies: They will get new, urgent contracts to build temporary and permanent prison facilities under simplified rules.
In Practice
- Temporary building permits for prisons and remand centers can be approved much quicker than before.
- The government can make quick exceptions to normal building regulations when new prison spots are urgently needed.
- New temporary prison facilities can be set up to handle the immediate shortage of space.
- Municipalities will have less power to delay prison construction through standard planning processes.