The Swedish government seeks support from the Social Democrats to send prisoners abroad due to capacity issues. While the Social Democrats are open to the idea, they emphasize the need for a long-term plan to expand prison capacity in Sweden. The proposal has sparked criticism from the labor union Seko, which opposes outsourcing state functions.
Social Democrats Consider Supporting Overseas Prison Solution
Social Democrats Consider Supporting Overseas Prison Solution
The government needs the support of the Social Democrats to send Swedish prisoners abroad. The Social Democrats are now open to saying yes, but first, they plan to visit the facility in Estonia. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from the LO union Seko.
Before the summer, the Social Democrats demanded to see the Tartu prison in southern Estonia to decide whether to support the government's proposal for overseas prison placements. Such a solution requires a qualified majority, meaning that the Moderates, Christian Democrats, Liberals, and Sweden Democrats need backing from the Social Democrats.
On Wednesday, Teresa Carvalho, the Social Democrats' spokesperson on legal policy, received approval for the visit, with government representatives also joining. The trip is planned for September 18-19.
"It's good that they realize it might be wise," says Carvalho.
Thousands of Places Needed
She emphasizes that the Social Democrats have not made a decision but highlights that they are "a pragmatic party."
"We always want to be a constructive force in solving societal problems. There's no doubt that we currently have a significant capacity problem in the Correctional Service, and it's our duty to consider this option," she says, adding:
"If it turns out to be necessary for a short period, we need to explore how such an arrangement would work."
Fundamentally, Teresa Carvalho notes, the Social Democrats are skeptical of the solution, as she has stated before.
"We don't think it's particularly good to outsource Swedish jobs or Swedish government functions abroad. It can't be the main strategy."
For the Social Democrats to agree, Teresa Carvalho says there must also be a long-term plan to expand the number of prison places in Sweden. The 400-600 places that can be rented in Estonia should only be seen as an emergency solution, she argues.
"It doesn't solve the problem. The need is much, much greater. Many thousands of places. And the most important thing must be to expand capacity here in Sweden," she says.
Hopes for Strömmer
Teresa Carvalho says she has repeatedly reached out to Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (Moderate), who recently visited the Tartu prison, for cooperation in the legal policy area.
Now she hopes he will take the opportunity to sit down with her to develop a long-term plan for the Correctional Service.
Among the things she wants to see is a government mandate for the state-owned Specialfastigheter to own and operate prisons. According to Carvalho, this would shorten the procurement process by several years. She also wants plans to build prisons in Kalmar and Norrköping to be expedited.
Union Outrage
The decision has stirred strong emotions within the labor movement.
Gabriella Lavecchia, chair of the LO union Seko, which organizes about 5,500 employees within the Correctional Service, is disappointed. She also sits on the Social Democrats' party board.
"We are disappointed that the Social Democrats are now opening up to prison places abroad. The Correctional Service is a state operation, and state operations should not be outsourced or relocated to other countries. It's about legal certainty and equal government functions. Swedish jobs should be performed in Sweden," she says in a comment to Expressen.
Furthermore, she argues that overseas prison places are "a first step towards privatizing the Correctional Service," which she calls "unreasonable."
Instead of renting prison places abroad, Lavecchia wants to see increased use of electronic monitoring in the Correctional Service and an investment in the work environment to attract more employees.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderate) posted a video on social media about overseas prison places, hoping to gain support for the reform. He makes a special appeal to the Social Democrats.
"I hope now that everyone who wants dangerous people to be inside, so that honest people dare to be outside, also votes for this unique reform. This applies especially to the Social Democrats. Now it's time to prove it," he says.