Prison overcrowding has reached critical levels across the European Union, prompting several member states to explore controversial solutions such as transferring foreign inmates abroad and reducing sentences for low-risk offenders, according to a report by El País published Monday.
Data from the Council of Europe shows a growing strain on prison systems, with the average inmate density rising from 93.5 per 100 available spaces in January 2023 to 94.9 in January 2024. At least one-third of EU countries now exceed their prison capacity, with Slovenia, Cyprus, France, Italy, Romania, and Belgium operating at more than 113 inmates per 100 spaces.
In response to the worsening situation, countries including Denmark and Sweden are considering agreements to relocate prisoners to Kosovo and Estonia, respectively. The proposals, however, have sparked criticism from human rights advocates and triggered local opposition.
A key point of contention is the focus on foreign nationals, who are disproportionately represented in prison populations in countries such as Belgium, France, and Sweden. Observers say these inmates are being singled out as “easier” to transfer abroad amid mounting political pressure linked to rising crime and migration.
“This isn’t going to solve the problem; it’s just exporting it,” warned Hugh Chetwynd of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture. He pointed to past efforts by Belgium and Norway that faltered due to legal inconsistencies, language barriers, and inadequate oversight. “These new projects are even more complicated,” he added, criticizing measures that prevent transferred inmates from returning to the host country upon completing their sentence.
Public backlash has also intensified in some destination countries. In Estonia, a government plan to lease prison space to house Swedish inmates has ignited local protests. Hundreds of residents in the city of Tartu have signed a petition opposing the move, which was initially introduced as a revenue-generating initiative.
While EU governments weigh these unconventional solutions, critics warn that short-term fixes may undermine legal standards and strain international cooperation—without addressing the root causes of overcrowding.
