Background & Purpose

Currently, people in traditional prisons have limited access to social benefits. The government wants to ensure that these rules also apply to newer forms of detention, such as controlled housing and security detention.

The Decision

The Swedish parliament decided that social security benefits will be restricted for those in controlled housing or security detention, and they must now pay for their own living expenses.

Does this affect you?

  • Inmates in controlled housing: They will no longer be eligible for certain social benefits and must cover their own living expenses while serving their sentence.
  • Individuals in security detention: They face the same new requirements regarding benefit restrictions and payment for living costs as those in controlled housing.

In Practice

  • Social security benefits will be limited for those in controlled housing or security detention.
  • Individuals in these forms of detention will be required to pay for their own living costs.
  • The new rules align these detention forms with existing regulations for traditional prison inmates.
  • The changes take effect on August 1, 2026.