Estonia can reject Swedish prisoners who fail transfer criteria

Estonia can refuse to accept Swedish prisoners who do not meet the criteria set out in the countries’ prison lease agreement, Tartu Prison Director Merle Ulst told ERR.

Four prisoners arrived at Tartu Prison on Tuesday as part of the agreement. They travelled on a charter flight to Ämari airfield and were then taken to Tartu under the protection of an armed unit. Ulst said the transfer was completed as planned without any incidents.

Estonia plans to receive 100 Swedish prisoners at Tartu Prison by the end of September and 200 by the end of the year.

Ulst said the criteria agreed with Sweden were strict and that Estonia assesses whether each arriving prisoner meets the requirements. “If we find that the prisoners being sent here do not meet the agreed criteria, we can refuse to accept them,” she said. The two countries can communicate and clarify the conditions if necessary.

For security reasons, the prison will disclose details about future transfers only after they have taken place. Ulst said Tartu Prison had repeatedly practised the procedures for safely receiving the prisoners.

She said the prison’s daily procedures would not change. Tartu Prison has dealt with prisoners for more than 20 years.

One difference is that health checks are mandatory for Estonian prisoners but voluntary for Swedish prisoners. The prison will rely on information provided by Sweden and expects the Swedish inmates to agree to a general medical examination.

Communication with the Swedish prisoners will mainly take place in English. Prison staff can also use translation applications and devices, the Police and Border Guard Board’s translation centre, and two employees hired to provide real-time assistance with interpreting.