UK Plans to Ship Prisoners to Estonia Amid Jail Crisis
The UK government is reportedly eyeing a bold plan to tackle jail overcrowding: sending British prisoners to Estonia. With prisons across England and Wales bursting at the seams, officials say the option is “on the table” as the Ministry of Justice scrambles for solutions.
Estonia’s Empty Cells Could Bring £25 Million Deal
Estonia, known for its low crime rate, has plenty of prison space – operating at just half capacity. Estonian Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta says talks with the UK are underway, estimating the deal could be worth a cool £25 million. The Baltic state has offered to rent out cells to the UK and Sweden, providing cheaper accommodation for offenders.
An insider reveals Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood planned to discuss the matter with Pakosta during a Council of Europe meeting in Lithuania.
Prison Overcrowding Hits Crisis Point
Britain’s jails are bursting at the seams, with the prison population hitting 88,350 as of August 30, 2024 – the highest since 2011. Judges have been urged to hold back on sentencing for minor crimes, while thousands of inmates face early release to free up space.
Starting 10 September, an early release scheme will free 5,500 prisoners, excluding those jailed for sex offences, terrorism, domestic abuse, or violent crimes.
Costs and Concerns Cloud the Cross-Border Plan
Sending prisoners abroad isn’t new. Norway and Belgium have previously rented space in Dutch jails, but at a hefty price – up to £100,000 per prisoner annually. UK sources say Estonia’s costs would be far lower, between £10,000 and £20,000 per inmate.
But critics warn hidden costs could blow the budget sky-high. Expenses for flights, staff moves, and taxpayer-burdened family visits have officials questioning if the plan is viable.
“It was very expensive—potentially prohibitively so,” said a source from earlier Conservative government talks.
Still, Labour’s Ministry of Justice insists all options are on the table. A spokesperson said: “We will continue to investigate all viable options to increase the number of places in the prison estate so we can keep locking up dangerous criminals and protect the public.”
For now, shipping prisoners to Estonia remains a controversial but possible solution as the UK battles its worsening prison crisis.
