Tartu prison nears readiness for Swedish inmates

Preparations to receive Swedish inmates at Tartu Prison are nearing completion, ERR reported, with around 10 prisoners expected to arrive in mid August and up to 600 planned to be housed there over the course of a year.

The first renovated cells have been prepared for the Swedish prisoners. Tartu Prison held nearly 150 inmates at the beginning of the summer, but they were moved to Viru and Tallinn prisons.

The renovated cells have been fitted with blinds, shelves and headphones. Two televisions have also been installed, allowing inmates to watch Swedish channels. They will receive tablets for activities such as reading the news, but social media use will not be permitted.

Unlike the existing arrangements, the Swedish inmates will have access to electricity around the clock. They will also be allowed to prepare hot drinks during work and study activities, and to use tobacco free nicotine pouches and patches.

New furnishings have been added to the communal areas, including upholstered furniture. The prison rooms also have a new kitchen and new refrigerators.

Tartu Prison director Merle Ulst said the renovations had been financed as part of Sweden’s costs. She said the building had last undergone more significant work more than 20 years ago.

Up to 600 Swedish inmates are expected to arrive within a year, including 200 by the end of this year. Current plans call for a second prison building, which has stood empty for years, to be brought into use next year.

Work has already begun in the vacant building. Ulst said Swedish inmates highly value privacy and having a cell alone, which the prison sees as a possible incentive. The building was previously kept closed because it was not considered practical to operate two facilities, and Estonian inmates were generally housed two to a cell.

More than 250 employees will be added to the prison staff. Ulst said the prison would have more staff per inmate under a trial of the Swedish model, with more employees present in residential units to address inmates’ concerns early and reduce the workload of courts and other institutions.

The exact arrival date of the first Swedish inmates is not being disclosed for security reasons.