“The World Prison Brief (WPB) is a unique database that provides free access to information about prison systems throughout the world. It was launched in 2000 using data compiled by Roy Walmsley, Founder of the World Prison Brief. Country information is updated on a monthly basis, using data largely derived from governmental or other official sources.” (prisonstudies.org)
Prison occupancy in England and Wales is at 108% of capacity as is much talked about. It is less well known that the Republic of Ireland’s prisons are at 116% of capacity and only 5% of Irish prisoners are foreign; 13% in the UK. Why do so many people check in to prison in the British Isles?
Look at it another way. Why are prisons in Estonia at 56% of capacity and 33% are foreigners? To slightly digress, Sweden and Finland want to export their prisoners to Estonia. I’m straying into Nigel Farage land but it makes you think. Estonia should be a small, corrupt dictatorship with Putin pulling the strings assisted by a few rich oligarchs and with prisons chock full of dissidents. Belarus is, except it’s not small – it’s a large, corrupt dictatorship etc.
I offer this as a generalisation without much proof but I believe prisons in Scandinavia and Baltic countries are commodious. Estonia should sell prison places on AirBnB not take in the Swedish flotsam and jetsam. But I digress. In Nigel Farage’s fantasy land the UK will be like Estonia. Instead the UK is alarmingly like Sweden. I like ABBA more than Arvo Pärt* but on any other score Estonia inexplicably is Top of the Pops. It has been under foreign rule until the last century when it was twice independent. First time Hitler took over then after the war it became part of the USSR.
I cannot offer much of an explanation except to say Estonians are plucky; Estonian is a bit like Finnish and Hungarian but not like the other Balt languages; they have, as far as I am aware, no territorial ambitions; they are outward looking, well educated and of course they tick boxes: no green in their flag and they wear topcoats in winter. Still it’s a mystery why it is such a successful democracy – possibly because it is a cohesive society and a bit xenophobic – tourists excepted.
* Arvo Pärt was Composer of the Week last week on Radio 3 and now I like his music more.
Estonia has a model evidence based justice system.
– Equality in society is paramount in reducing crime.
– Community sentences more effective than imprisonment.
– Rehabilitation is prime focus of prison and probation.
Youwould never guess it but liberal/ socialist policies work in practice! Even in an authoritarian system