Sweden to Transfer First Prisoners to Estonia in Historic Move Starting August 2023

Sweden is set to begin transferring its prison population to Estonia starting August 2023, marking a historic first in allowing another country to manage Swedish inmates. The Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården) will oversee the operation, coordinating a phased relocation of up to 600 prisoners to the Tartu prison in Estonia by July 2027.

The initial transfer will involve 30 inmates flown to Estonia in three separate flights. This will be followed by 70 prisoners in September 2023 and then 100 every three months, culminating in a final group of 300 prisoners moved in spring 2027, as confirmed by Niklas Bellström of Kriminalvården. The Tartu facility is designated as a security class two prison, capable of housing inmates from various crime categories.

Exclusions have been clearly established: inmates convicted of terrorism, treason, espionage, those affiliated with gang crime, or considered radicalized will not be transferred. The operation will focus on male prisoners over 18 convicted under Swedish law, with Estonian citizens excluded from the transfer. Selected prisoners can have sentences ranging from one month to life imprisonment.

While inmates will be allowed to express their opinions about the transfer, the decision is not voluntary. Factors such as family ties in Sweden are considered but are not definitive barriers to relocation. The geographical distance will complicate family visits; however, Kriminalvården is working on facilitating in-person visits as well as increased opportunities for video and phone communication to support inmates’ reintegration into society.

Estonian prison staff will manage daily operations but speak English, and Swedish authorities will provide extensive training. The Swedish government has described the arrangement as historic, addressing the issue of overcrowded prisons in Sweden by outsourcing capacity to Estonia.

Overall, this unprecedented international cooperation aims to responsibly manage Sweden's prison population while maintaining security and rehabilitation efforts within Estonian facilities operating under Estonian law but with Swedish oversight.