Denmark’s penal reform is considering increased use of electronic tagging as an alternative to imprisonment due to overcrowded prisons and staff shortages. Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard stated that electronic tagging could be used more extensively, especially as an alternative to remand imprisonment.

The government is proposing to expand the use of electronic tagging to include individuals sentenced to prison terms of up to 12 months, which is currently limited to sentences of six months or less. This expansion aims to alleviate pressure on the prison system and conserve resources.

SF, a political party involved in the upcoming negotiations, plans to propose an “immediate electronic tag” system. This system would allow convicts to wear an electronic tag while awaiting their prison sentence, further reducing the immediate demand for prison space and staff.

The Prison and Probation Service Association acknowledges the need for additional prison spaces, but emphasizes the strain already placed on the existing system. Union chairman Bo Yde Sørensen highlighted the persistent overcrowding and the challenge of finding sufficient staff. Recruiting and retaining staff is a critical concern, as new prison construction takes time, and adequate staffing is essential for the proper functioning of the prison system.