Estonia, known for one of the best correctional systems, is considering leasing prison cells to countries that struggle to house their prisoners, according to bne IntelliNews.
The Baltic country has already received significant interest from the UK, where the Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer is tackling a prison crisis. Other potential client countries include Sweden and the Netherlands, both of which have reported prison overcrowding.
Estonian Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta proposed to the government a plan to rent out empty prison cells in Estonia’s three prisons to selected countries facing overcrowded prisons. According to the plan, Estonia would house between 250 and 500 foreign prisoners.
We have one of the best correctional systems in the world in Estonia, which means we also have excellent prison guards. They have thoroughly vetted backgrounds, excellent training, and very good equipment. Plus, in Tartu, we already have international war criminals, and our people are handling it all very well.
The cost of one camera will cost about 3,500 euros per month. The initiative had the potential to generate around 30 million euros for the Estonian state budget, Pakosta added.
The minister also emphasised Estonia’s low rates of prison escapes and recidivism as additional advantages of the Estonian correctional system, which she described as one of the best in the world. With the scheme, Estonia expects to create about 400 new jobs for Estonian prison guards.
The current prison population in England and Wales stands at 88,350, the highest number in a decade. The overcrowding issue has been exacerbated by recent riots in the UK, including the Southport stabbing.
