Hidden Scenes in Estonia's Swedish Sphere of Influence
Sweden is set to rent prison spaces from Estonia to manage overcrowding in its prisons, marking a mutually beneficial agreement for both countries [1][2][3]. The plan, which could see up to 600 Swedish prisoners housed in Estonian facilities from autumn 2026, arises due to Sweden's increasing incarceration rates and Estonia's low prison occupancy rate.
The agreement allows Sweden to rent up to 400 cells, with an annual minimum payment of €30.6 million for 300 places, plus €8,500 per prisoner per month for any additional places [1][3]. This arrangement offers significant cost savings for Sweden, as housing inmates in Estonia is estimated to be around €3,000 cheaper per month compared to housing them in Sweden [1].
Estonia, on the other hand, benefits by utilizing underused modern prison facilities, retaining staff, and receiving substantial payments. The Estonian prison in Tartu, with a total capacity of 933 prison places, currently has only around 300 places occupied [3].
The agreement excludes prisoners with complex criminal backgrounds or mental health issues. Estonia will conduct background checks and cooperate with its security services to manage any risks associated with housing foreign prisoners [3]. The arrangement is intergovernmental and requires ratification by both countries’ parliaments [1].
Swedish prisoners in Estonia will follow the same daily routine as other inmates, including mandatory work and leisure activities such as sports facilities, an art workshop, and a music studio [3]. They will occupy cells of the same size: ten square meters, equipped with bunk beds, bathroom, table, chair, shelf, coat hook, and a barred window [3]. Swedish prisoners will also have access to communal areas with TV, washing machine, and refrigerator [3].
Visits from home for Swedish prisoners will be allowed, but the details are yet to be finalised [3]. Swedish prisoners will not have contact with Estonian inmates to prevent potential networking of criminals between the two countries [3]. Upon completion of their sentences, Swedish prisoners will be returned to Sweden at least one month before the end of their sentence [3].
This innovative solution to Sweden's growing prison population and Estonia's underutilized capacity is not a new concept. Estonia has also held talks with the UK and the Netherlands, but only with Sweden did these lead to concrete negotiations [3]. The idea of renting out prison places was born in Estonia, and it seems this model could be the future of prison management in the EU.
[1] BBC News. (2024, March 15). Sweden to rent prison spaces from Estonia to ease overcrowding. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61225645
[2] The Guardian. (2024, March 15). Sweden to send prisoners to Estonia to ease overcrowding. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/15/sweden-to-send-prisoners-to-estonia-to-ease-overcrowding
[3] The Local. (2024, March 15). Sweden to rent prison spaces from Estonia to manage overcrowding. [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.se/20240315/sweden-to-rent-prison-spaces-from-estonia-to-manage-overcrowding
- In addition to the prison agreement with Sweden, Estonia has discussed similar arrangements for renting out prison spaces with the UK and the Netherlands, indicating a trend in European countries exploring alternative solutions for education-and-self-development, politics, and general-news-related issues related to prison management.
- While Swedish prisoners will have access to various facilities for leisure activities such as sports, art, and music, the agreement with Estonia specifically excludes prisoners with complex criminal backgrounds or mental health issues, underscoring the importance of crime-and-justice considerations in such agreements.
