Sweden Mulls Deporting Inmates From Gang-Overflowing Prisons
31st January 2025
Sweden is considering transferring convicted criminals to foreign prisons as a response to its escalating crime crisis. A government-commissioned investigation, launched in December 2023, concluded that there are no legal barriers preventing Sweden from leasing prison spaces abroad. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer announced the findings on Wednesday, emphasising that negotiations with potential host countries are already underway.
The proposal follows a surge in violent crime, particularly linked to gang activity, which has pushed Sweden’s prisons to capacity. The number of prison sentences issued in 2023 increased by 25% compared to the previous year, with a total of nearly 200,000 months of incarceration. By 2033, Swedish authorities estimate they will need 27,000 prison beds—more than double the current 11,000.
Sweden’s crime crisis has been exacerbated by gang-related bombings and shootings, fueled by a significant migration influx in recent years, which have left police and the judiciary overwhelmed. The first month of 2025 alone has seen 30 bombings, largely attributed to gang extortion activities.