The Ministry of Justice is sending out a draft for a legislative council referral for comment today. It suggests that the time that must be served before conditional release can be considered is increased from two-thirds to three-quarters.
It is essential for the credibility of the penal system that the absolute majority of a prison sentence is actually served in prison, says Henrik Vinge (SD), chairman of the Justice Committee, at a press conference.
Introduced Gradually
A study, however, advised against such an increase last summer. Partly because conditional release plays a "completely decisive role" in enabling the convicted person to readjust to society. Partly because the increase would cost the Prison and Probation Service nearly seven billion kronor, as the number of prisoners would increase.
We have taken into account the costs) in the major initiatives we are now taking. We have made the assessments that these investments are crucial for re-establishing security and freedom for citizens, says Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M).
The government now wants to introduce the increase as early as January 1, 2026. However, it will be done gradually, at a pace that the Prison and Probation Service can handle. Initially, only prison sentences of at least six years will be affected.
The requirement for conditional release is also proposed to be tightened for those convicted of at least four years for violent offenses or at least two years for organized crime. For them, the conditional release will be postponed if there is also a concrete risk of recidivism into serious crime.
We stand on the side of the sense of justice. Now we are tightening this significantly, one should not have conditional release on loose grounds. One should have it after a long time and on good grounds, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M).
The government is also aiming to introduce indeterminate security sentences as early as March 1, 2026. This is almost two years earlier than what the study proposed.
About 45 Cases
Security sentences will be directed at individuals who have committed serious violent crimes and have a "manifest" risk of reoffending into the same serious violent crime. For example, serial rapists and serious arsonists.
The investigator Stefan Reimer estimated that around 45 people per year will be sentenced to security sentences.
Both three-quarters release and security sentences are points in the Tidö Agreement between the government parties and SD.
Peter Wallberg/TT
Facts: The Government's Proposal
TT
At least three-quarters of a prison sentence must be served before conditional release can be considered.
The shortest prison sentence is increased to one month.
All prison sentences will be covered by the system of conditional release.
The probation period after conditional release will be at least two years, instead of the current one year.
The conditionally released person will as a general rule be placed under supervision.
The entire conditionally granted freedom will be forfeited in the event of recidivism during the probation period.
No new conditional release will be granted from the forfeited part.
It will be easier to postpone the conditional release if the convicted person misbehaves.
Source: Ministry of Justice
