Sweden begins transferring prisoners to Estonia under new agreement

The first group of Swedish prisoners has been transported to Tartu Prison in Estonia as part of a government agreement to rent prison spaces abroad. Under the agreement, Sweden can rent 400 places to accommodate up to 600 inmates, a move intended to address domestic prison capacity issues resulting from stricter criminal policies.

The initial transfer involved only four prisoners, despite the use of a Saab 2000 aircraft with 50 seats. Reports indicate that while 38 inmates were initially selected, Estonian authorities rejected 20 of them. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed the low number of passengers, stating that the Swedish Prison and Probation Service determines the timing and selection of transfers, and noted that an understanding exists with Estonia regarding the specific types of prisoners accepted.

Critics of the policy argue that exporting prisoners addresses the symptoms of crime rather than its underlying social causes, such as segregation and socioeconomic inequality, rather than tackling the root of criminal activity.