It is advisable to rent vacant places in Estonian prisons as they may be needed, including for housing prisoners of war, Estonian Minister of Justice and Digital Technologies Liisa Pakosta said, ERR reports on August 25.
“It may be necessary that in the event of an escalation or a greater threat, the buildings can also be used as a military prison for prisoners of war. Taking prisoners of war may mean that we have someone to exchange for Estonian residents.”said Pakosta.
According to the minister, by renting out prison spaces, the state solves several problems at once. Firstly, idle infrastructure generates immediate income, and secondly, prison staff retain their skills and training and continue to use them in their daily work. And most importantly, the state does not bear the costs of selling the prison complexes, since such specific real estate is almost impossible to sell in its current form.
Pakosta linked the possible increase in the state’s need to house prisoners with the rise in crime in Europe, as well as the possible emergence of a certain “need” Placement of prisoners of war.
Let us recall that in July 2024 there were about 1,700 prisoners in Estonian prisons, compared to about 2,000 a year earlier. According to statistics, Viru prison is 53% full, half of the prisoners in Tartu prison have been transferred to Tallinn, which has made it possible to fill the capital’s prison by 68%.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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