Proposal to end right to single-occupancy cells in Swedish detention centres

A government-appointed inquiry has proposed abolishing the right to single-occupancy cells in Swedish remand prisons and expanding the use of electronic monitoring, SVT Nyheter reports.

The recommendations, presented on Monday to Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer, aim to address acute overcrowding in Swedish prisons and detention centres. Fredrik Kärrholm (Moderate Party), the inquiry lead and former police officer, stated that “the expansion needs to be accelerated.”

Key proposals include removing the legal entitlement to single cells in remand custody, though Kärrholm noted that exceptions already exist during capacity shortages. Currently, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service must assess each case individually—a process he described as an “enormous administrative burden” involving thousands of decisions annually.

The inquiry also suggests broadening the use of electronic ankle monitors for sentences combined with supervised release, reducing demand for physical prison spaces. Kärrholm emphasised that suitability assessments would still apply when replacing custodial sentences with monitoring.

A further proposal would legally formalise the temporary placement of detainees in police custody cells—a practice already used during shortages but currently lacking explicit regulation. This measure would exclude individuals under 18. The proposed legal changes are set to take effect on 1 July 2027, with the final inquiry report due in December 2026.