Denmark’s government is set to increase penalties for aggravated assault and rape, while also significantly expanding the capacity of the country’s prisons. This initiative is part of a new criminal justice reform proposal.

The reform includes doubling the punishment for severe acts of violence. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard emphasized that the reform aims to ensure that serious violent crimes receive tougher and more noticeable consequences than they currently do.

To accommodate the expected increase in inmates, the government plans to create over 2,000 new prison places by 2036. This expansion builds upon previously announced plans from a multi-year agreement for the Prison and Probation Service in 2024.

The government will further expand prison capacity by constructing a new closed prison, one of the country’s largest, with the location yet to be determined. Additionally, a new women’s prison will be established in western Denmark. Currently, Denmark has only one women’s prison, located in Jyderup on Zealand. Additional prison places will also be created in Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The reform requires substantial investments in the prison system, with the government increasing the Prison and Probation Service’s budget by nearly two billion kroner by 2030. During the same period, an additional one billion kroner will be allocated to improve staffing levels and working conditions within the Prison and Probation Service.

Furthermore, the penalty for gross rape will be increased by 50 percent. Penalties for violence against a partner or child will also be increased by 50 percent.

Hummelgaard stated that the criminal justice reform prioritizes “the victim’s perspective,” drawing inspiration from Sweden. He contrasted the proposed changes with Sweden’s approach, suggesting that Denmark aims to avoid similar issues.