In Stockholm on January 29, a government-appointed commission stated that Sweden has the ability to transfer criminals to serve their sentences in foreign prisons, a response to the country's struggle with a rise in inmates due to increased gang-related crime.
Addressing the matter at a news conference, Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer emphasized the necessity for innovative approaches within the Prison and Probation Service and mentioned ongoing discussions with other nations to potentially lease prison space.
Over the past two decades, Sweden has experienced escalating gang-related violence, leading to the nation topping the charts for per capita gun violence across Europe.
Fueled by enhanced legal tools, more personnel, and increased funding, Swedish police have intensified actions against criminal gangs, resulting in a decrease in fatal shootings and a higher rate of convictions in recent years.
While these efforts have been lauded, they have strained the prison system. In 2023, the total prison sentences handed down by Swedish courts reached nearly 200,000 months, marking a 25% surge from the prior year and a doubling compared to 2014.
With current jails and prisons at capacity, the Prison and Probation Service estimates a need for around 27,000 beds by 2033, a significant increase from the current 11,000.
Commission head Mattias Wahlstedt clarified that there are no legal barriers to Sweden outsourcing prison space abroad, but any such proposal would require parliamentary approval.
Moreover, authorities are contending with an unprecedented wave of bombings, particularly in the Stockholm metropolitan area, with 30 incidents reported in January alone. Most of these bombings are attributed to gang extortion activities targeting businesses and individuals, according to police reports.