Estonia and Sweden are working on a new agreement. Estonia will rent out space in Tartu Prison to Sweden. Up to 600 Swedish prisoners could be sent there. A proposal has been sent to the Estonian parliament.
For months, ministers have talked about bringing foreign prisoners to Estonia. Many prisons in Western Europe are full, but Estonia has many empty cells.
Tartu Prison, in the south of Estonia, can hold 933 people, but right now 600 spots are free.
On Wednesday, Estonia’s Ministry of Justice said the deal would be good for Estonia. It would create hundreds of jobs.
The prisoners will be “low-risk,” and both countries will decide together who can be sent. Dangerous prisoners will not be allowed.
None of these prisoners will be released in Estonia. They will return to Sweden at least one month before their sentence ends.
Sweden will pay all costs, such as food, medical care, and security, so Estonian taxpayers won’t have to pay anything. Sweden will pay €8,500 per prisoner each month. In Sweden, it costs €11,500 per prisoner.
The deal will also provide 400 jobs in Tartu and help Estonia keep its prison buildings ready for use if needed in the future.
Estonia’s Justice Minister, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, said that Estonia’s prison system uses top digital tools. She said the deal helps keep trained prison staff in their jobs and supports national safety.
Estonia has fewer prisoners now, so this agreement helps keep the prison system working well.
The deal follows European human rights rules.
However, some people in Sweden said the prisoners might include men over 18 who were convicted of serious crimes like murder and sexual assault.
Some Estonian opposition politicians are angry.
Helir-Valdor Seeder, leader of the Isamaa party, said the minister lied about the plan. He said bringing foreign prisoners would hurt Estonia’s image. He also said that while Estonia says the prisoners will be low-risk, Sweden may send people who have committed serious crimes.
Both Estonian and Swedish parliaments must approve the agreement before it can begin.
