Estonian Parliament passes law allowing prison space to be rented to other countries
Estonia's Riigikogu on Wednesday approved amendments enabling foreign prisoners to be housed in Estonian prisons and ratified a prison leasing contract with Sweden.
The Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) passed amendments to the law on Wednesday, allowing prisoners from foreign countries to serve their sentences in Estonian prisons under international agreements — a practice known as prison leasing. The vote was 52 in favor and 35 against. The assembly also ratified the prison leasing agreement with Sweden by a vote of 52 to 42, with five members abstaining.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the amendments aim to ensure that facilities at Tartu Prison are used for their intended purpose and to keep prison staff employed. Broader objectives include addressing high costs from underutilized prison facilities and contributing to the sustainability of public finances.
The agreement allows the use of up to 400 cells at Tartu Prison to house as many as 600 Swedish inmates. The first inmates are expected to arrive in August, with the prison being filled gradually — up to 100 inmates per quarter. The agreement is valid for five years, with an option for a three-year extension.
Inmates transferred to Estonia will be adult men serving longer sentences, typically for violent or drug-related offenses. Individuals convicted of terrorism, those likely to continue criminal activity while incarcerated, minors, and women will not be accepted.
All costs related to foreign inmates will be covered by the Swedish state. No inmate will be released in Estonia; all will be returned to Sweden before completing their sentence. The law will now be submitted to President Alar Karis for promulgation.
