Estonia and Sweden finalize rules for Swedish inmates in Tartu
A newly signed memorandum sets out how Swedish prisoners will be held in Tartu Prison. The first roughly two dozen inmates are expected to arrive in mid-August, though the exact date remains undisclosed.
Estonia and Sweden have signed a cooperation memorandum that defines the conditions under which Swedish prisoners will serve their sentences in Tartu Prison. The first group of about two dozen inmates is scheduled to arrive in mid-August, but the exact date will not be made public for security reasons.
The memorandum, signed on Wednesday, covers everything from clothing and television access to electricity use and nicotine products. Inmates will have access to Swedish TV channels but will be subject to the Estonian legal system. According to Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta, the arrangement helps address the underuse of Tartu Prison while allowing Estonian internal security personnel to receive further training funded by Swedish taxpayers.
Swedish prisoners will not be able to choose whether to serve their sentences in Estonia, but many have shown interest. Niklas Bellström, a unit head at the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, called the initiative adventurous and historic. Unlike in Swedish prisons, inmates in Tartu will have access to a gym, basketball, and football. However, they will have to give up smoking and the popular Swedish snus. As a compromise, the prison's e-shop will allow weaker nicotine pouches and patches. Pakosta said that after intense negotiations, nicotine pouches containing synthetic nicotine will be permitted, and this allowance will be extended to Estonian prisoners by the end of November. Cigarettes remain banned.
Concerns among Tartu residents have focused mainly on visits. Each prisoner is guaranteed at least one one-to-two-hour visit per month and a longer visit of 24 hours to three days every six months. All visits take place on prison grounds, and visitors must apply for permission and undergo a background check. Pakosta noted that in practice, visitors come to about every fifth prisoner, often a crying mother. The prison offers tablets for video meetings.
Estonia retains the right to choose which prisoners it accepts, excluding terrorists, organized crime leaders, women, and minors. No Swedish prisoner will receive city leave, and they will be transferred back to Sweden before release. The average stay is nine months. By the end of the year, up to 200 Swedish prisoners could be in Tartu, and up to 600 next year. Prison service head Rait Kuuse said the prison has not raised security concerns among locals.
The agreement could face political challenges. Isamaa leader Urmas Reinsalu has promised to cancel the rental agreement if his party comes to power. Cancellation requires a year's notice, as Bellström confirmed, leaving 12 months to plan the implementation of such a decision.
