Prisoners could serve their sentences in Estonian jails

Prisoners in the UK could serve their sentences in Estonia as the Labour government explores ways to offset chronic overcrowding.

- TOM WATLING

The Ministry of Justice and its Estonian counterpart are exploring “potential partnerships” after Tallinn offered to rent out spare prison capacity to other countries.

Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood and her Estonian peer, Liisa Pakosta, discussed the options on the sidelines of a Council of Europe event in Vilnius, Lithuania, yesterday.

Ms Pakosta told The Telegraph: “The UK and Estonia have a history of successful international cooperation, and such a partnership would create further opportunities to benefit and learn from each other.”

For the plan to proceed, the Estonian cabinet will first have to discuss and approve it in parliament.