Background & Purpose
The Swedish prison system is currently facing a severe shortage of available cells. To manage this, the government sought a solution to temporarily house inmates in another country.
Proposals & Debate
The government proposed an agreement with Estonia to let Swedish inmates serve their time in Estonian prisons under the supervision of Estonian staff. The proposal included specific legal changes to ensure that Swedish law and international standards are maintained during these transfers.
The Decision
The parliament approved the agreement and the necessary legal changes, meaning that transferring prisoners to Estonia will become a reality starting in July 2026.
Does this affect you?
- Inmates in the Swedish prison system: Individuals currently serving prison sentences may be relocated to facilities in Estonia.
- Swedish Prison and Probation Service staff: Staff will coordinate with Estonian authorities to manage the logistics and legal requirements of the transfers.
In Practice
- Swedish prisoners may be moved to Estonian facilities to serve their sentences.
- Estonian prison authorities will be responsible for the daily management of the inmates.
- The transfer is a temporary measure to address the lack of space in Swedish prisons.
- New legal rules will govern how these transfers are handled to ensure they follow the law.