Riigikogu ratified prison rental agreement between Estonia and Sweden
At its sitting today, the Riigikogu approved the agreement between Estonia and Sweden that authorises the transferral of up to 600 prison inmates from Sweden to Estonia to serve their sentence.
The Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee Madis Timpson explained that the number of inmates was constantly falling in Estonia while the cost of maintaining prisons remained high. “Leasing out prison places will enable Tartu Prison to remain in operation, ensure that internal security jobs are preserved in the region, create new jobs, and bring in at least EUR 30–60 million in contractual revenue to the state budget. The agreement offers a solution to the temporary overload of the prison system in Sweden.“
According to the Agreement, Estonia is ready to accept Swedish inmates and enable the enforcement of their sentences in Estonia. The arrival of inmates is planned to take place gradually so that Tartu Prison has time to make the necessary preparations. The first Swedish inmates should be placed in Tartu Prison in August. In total, the agreement allows up to 600 inmates to be transferred from Sweden to Estonia.
The Agreement sets out the rights and obligations, and regulates the enforcement of sentences, prison conditions, as well as the distribution of costs, and supervision. Estonia will only accept prisoners who meet certain criteria, which means that security risks along with possible prevention and mitigation measures have been identified in cooperation between the Police and Border Guard Board, the Estonian Internal Security Service, and the Ministry of the Interior. According to the Agreement, foreign inmates are sent back to Sweden at least one month before the end of their sentence and are released there.
The agreement was signed in Stockholm in June last year. The Swedish parliament ratified the agreement on 3 June. The Agreement will enter into force on the thirtieth day after both Estonia and Sweden have completed the necessary national legal procedures and have notified each other of this in writing. At its sitting today, the Riigikogu also passed the amendments in the national law (773 SE) needed to implement the agreement.
52 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour and 42 against the Act on the Ratification of the Agreement between the Republic of Estonia and the Kingdom of Sweden on the Enforcement in Estonia of Swedish Sentences of Imprisonment (682 SE), initiated by the Government.
Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
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