Danish prisons director loses chauffeur service after criticism

The Danish Prison and Probation Service has ended its chauffeur arrangement for director Ina Eliasen following public criticism, the agency confirmed in a written statement to Ritzau on Wednesday.

The decision comes after experts and political figures, including the Danish People’s Party, condemned the practice of employing two part-time drivers at an annual cost of approximately 720,000 kroner (€96,500). The drivers had been transporting Eliasen, including between her home—located about 40 kilometres from the agency’s headquarters—and her workplace.

In its statement, the service acknowledged that the Prison and Probation Service Board had initially approved the arrangement, citing workload pressures that justified “using travel time for work purposes during commutes between home and the office.” However, the board has now opted to dismantle the current system while assessing alternative solutions for future transport needs.

Earlier reports by B.T. revealed that the agency had referenced a ministry note on official car use to defend the arrangement. The Ministry of the Interior and Health clarified to Ritzau that its guidelines apply only to mayors and regional council chairs, deferring questions on the prisons director’s case to the Ministry of Justice.