Swedish prisoners flown to Estonia to serve sentences in leased prison

A plane carrying the first Swedish prisoners landed at Ämari Air Base in Estonia. They will be transferred during the day to a leased prison in Tartu.

According to Estonian media, cited by Report, fewer than 10 prisoners were on board.

A total of 600 Swedish prisoners are expected to arrive in Tartu over the course of a year, including 200 this year. The costs will be covered by the Swedish government, which will pay Estonia between €31 million and €61 million annually, depending on the number of prisoners.

Under the agreement, the leased prison will operate according to the rules of Tartu Prison, while Swedish prisoners will wear Swedish prison uniforms and be guaranteed access to Swedish information channels.

In addition, prisoners will have televisions in their cells and access to electricity even at night. Since cigarettes and other tobacco products are prohibited at Tartu Prison, Swedish prisoners will be provided with tobacco-free nicotine pouches and patches through the prison"s online shop.