The Estonian government has given Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta permission to sign a prison agreement with Sweden. The agreement will last for five years. The signing will happen on June 18 in Stockholm.
Estonia and Sweden are close partners. The agreement will help keep the Tartu prison open. Without it, the prison might close in one year. This would mean losing many jobs in Southern Estonia.
Under the agreement, Estonia will give Sweden 400 prison cells. There can be up to 600 prisoners. Estonian and Swedish prisoners will stay separate.
Estonia will check every Swedish prisoner's background. Dangerous people will not be accepted. All Swedish prisoners will return to Sweden before their sentence ends.
Sweden will pay Estonia 30.6 million euros every year. Extra money will be paid for each new prisoner. At first, Sweden will pay 22.95 million euros during a transition period.
The government will discuss the agreement next week. Then, the parliament must also approve it. After signing, more talks will happen.