Swedish prison places in Estonia may become reality

Gabriella Lavecchia, chairman of the Confederation for Seko who has members in the Prison and Probation Service, calls the plans « indecent ».

– To put the exercise of authority in that form in another country – to open that door – I think that is obscene. Of any government, she says.

According to the agreement between Sweden and Estonia, 600 prisoners will be able to be received at the prison in Tartu, in the eastern part of Estonia. The prison corresponds to a Swedish institution in security class two and will be staffed by Estonian staff who can speak English. Swedish sent staff will be in place to, among other things, ensure that the agreement is complied with.

Gabriella Lavecchia says that the criticism among the members of the trade union is precisely aimed at the exercise of authority in another country.

– It should be legally secure, but it should also be based on its starting point II Sweden.

Joachim Danielsson, chairman of Trade unions ST in the Prison and Probation Service, believes that a number of other efforts would actually be necessary before places at institutions abroad come into question.

– We have to take a closer look in other ways that exist to enforce penalties, which Sweden has been very successful with for 50 years, says Joachim Danielsson, and mentions, among other things, to increase the proportion of penalties that are enforced within the free care.

It is yet Too early to be able to predict the consequences of Swedish prisoners falling into a foreign prison, says Danielsson. However, he can note that principles in which Swedish Prison Service should be founded, including minimizing the risk of recidivism in crime, will be more difficult to maintain in another country.

– But you can look at countries like Norway and Denmark that have applied this before. They have probably had far from positive experiences with it.

Also The Academic Association SSR, which organizes the prison’s academics, reacts strongly to the government’s plans.

– It is problematic that it is Estonian staff who will execute Swedish prison sentences. Swedish Prison Service is based on the principle of better, that those who are in prison should also have a plan to return to society after serving a sentence. This will be very difficult with the government’s plans, says Fredrik Hjulström expert at the Prison and Probation Service at the Academic Association SSR, in a press release.

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