Background & Purpose

The Swedish National Audit Office found that the Swedish Prison and Probation Service's treatment programs are not fully effective. The government largely agrees with this criticism and believes the programs need to be prioritized.

Proposals & Debate

The government presented its view on the National Audit Office's report, agreeing that the Prison and Probation Service's treatment programs are not effective enough. They emphasized the need for the Prison and Probation Service to prioritize these programs, especially for inmates at high risk of re-offending. Opposition parties, however, put forward their own proposals (motions) for specific improvements in this area.

The Decision

The Swedish Parliament decided to accept the government's report without taking any further action or passing new laws. They also rejected all the opposition's proposals for specific improvements to the prison treatment programs.

Does this affect you?

  • Inmates in Swedish prisons: Their access to and the effectiveness of treatment programs will remain under the current system, without new parliamentary mandates for change.
  • Staff at the Swedish Prison and Probation Service: They will continue their work under existing guidelines, with an ongoing focus on improving treatment programs as per government direction.
  • The Swedish Prison and Probation Service leadership: They are expected to prioritize and improve treatment programs based on the government's assessment and the National Audit Office's criticism, without new legislative requirements.

In Practice

  • The Swedish Prison and Probation Service is expected to continue prioritizing treatment programs based on the government's existing directives.
  • No new laws or specific mandates for changes to prison treatment programs will be introduced by the parliament.
  • The government will continue to oversee the Prison and Probation Service's work based on the acknowledged issues.
  • Inmates with a medium or high risk of re-offending will still be a focus for treatment planning within the current framework.