Swedish Prisoners in Estonia Report Poor Conditions and Discrimination at Tartu Prison

Swedish inmates transferred to Tartu Prison in Estonia have raised serious concerns about their treatment and living conditions. In an open letter published by Kriminalvårdsmagasinet, 41 Swedish prisoners—part of a plan to transfer up to 600 by next summer—outlined issues including inadequate food, poor hygiene, limited access to showers, lack of employment opportunities, and racial tensions among inmates. They stressed their prior good behavior in Sweden and demanded equal treatment to that in Swedish prisons.

The letter's complaints detail insufficient protein in meals, only three showers for over 40 inmates, thin mattresses, and restricted time outside cells. The prisoners feel isolated and claim to face racism between white and non-white inmates. Transfers began on August 18 under a five-year contract with an option for three more years. Sweden rents prison spaces to alleviate domestic overcrowding, paying €8,500 monthly per inmate—less than Sweden’s internal cost of over €11,000 per month.

Niklas Bellström, a Kriminalvården unit manager, noted that careful dialogue between Sweden and Estonia continues, ensuring transfers exclude gang-affiliated or high-risk individuals. Despite this, the transferred inmates express sharp criticism of Swedish decision-makers, portraying a stark contrast between conditions in Estonia and Sweden. This situation raises pressing questions about Sweden’s handling of prison overcrowding and the rights of prisoners abroad.