Due to overcrowding in Swedish prisons, the government and the Sweden Democrats, as part of the Tidö Agreement, have wanted to explore the possibilities of renting prison places abroad. The issue has now been thoroughly investigated and has taken a step closer to becoming a reality.

The Tidö Agreement states:

“The possibility of renting prison places in other countries shall be investigated with the aim of reaching an agreement to rent prison places in comparable countries in Sweden’s vicinity to alleviate the shortage of space in Swedish correctional facilities. The investigation shall also consider a permanent arrangement where prison places can be rented abroad when capacity shortages arise or to be used for inmates sentenced to deportation due to crime.”

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In November 2024, while the issue was still being investigated, Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) held discussions with Estonia. The issue has now been thoroughly investigated and the investigator Mattias Wahlstedt handed over his conclusions to Strömmer on Wednesday. According to Wahlstedt, there are no obstacles for criminals sentenced in Sweden to be sent to other EU and EEA countries.

The requirements mentioned are that the conditions should be roughly the same as in Swedish prisons and that an individual assessment must be made for each placement. To the greatest extent possible, Swedish personnel should also work at the facility abroad. Swedish health and medical personnel should also be present there, according to the investigator.

Persons Wahlstedt wants to see exempted include individuals under 18 years of age, those convicted of terrorist offenses, and individuals sentenced to forensic psychiatric care.

Should not be able to refuse

A convicted person should not be able to refuse to be sent abroad, and no distinction should be made between Swedish citizens and others.

“One can imagine that someone who has a deportation order does not have the same need to adapt to Swedish society,” says Mattias Wahlstedt.

Decisions on expulsion or deportation should be able to be enforced from the receiving country.

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