Massive growth in the population of foreign prisoners in Swedish jails – worrying to the government

Friday, 23 August 2013
The proportion of foreign nationals sentenced to prison in Sweden has exploded and being described here as shocking. Sweden has been a playground of foreign criminals and the legal systems here too, has stepped to the task and bang many of them in. But this robust legal reaction is becoming worrying to the government.

As a result, the Swedish government seeking a review and looking into suggestions that more people should serve their sentences in their home countries although many of them, when they arrive there would likely be released to try to come back.
During the first half of 2013 there were around 4500 people in Swedish prisons, according to data from the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården). Of these, 35 percent are not Swedish citizens. Compared to 2003, then the proportion was 25 percent. But the increase was greatest in the last two years.

This trend is worrying and the government has appointed a commission of lawyers to examine if it is possible for these criminals to be return to their home lands. An expert led by Tobias Fälth feels that there are several advantages for the prisoners to return to their homelands.

One advantage is that they’ll live closer to their families, future employment, and a large social network. The basic idea in this whole investigation has been that it should lead to social rehabilitation and that’s when the humanitarian reasons that have been in the forefront.

Another reason is also that it would safe the state huge amount of money.
Nevertheless, to transfer a prisoner from Swedish prison to serve their sentence in their home country is cumbersome, according to the investigation. Annually, only around 50 people are transferred outside the Nordic countries.
The legal system is being called for a review so that it becomes easier for people to transfer to their home countries.
by Scancomark.com Team