The Swedish Prison and Probation Service plans to significantly expand its facilities in Luleå, including a new detention center and prison to address overcrowding issues.
The Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården) has announced plans to expand its operations in Luleå by constructing a new detention center with 175 beds and a prison facility for approximately 300 inmates. Currently, the existing detention center at Porsön offers only 50 places, while the nearby prison has a capacity of 100 beds. This proposed expansion emphasizes the need for increased capabilities to manage the growing inmate population in the region.
As part of a broader initiative, Kriminalvården is looking to enhance its facilities across Sweden, aiming to raise the total number of detention and prison places to 29,000 by the year 2032, a substantial increase from the current 12,000 available nationwide. The expansion in Luleå aligns with this national strategy and responds to the increasing demands for correctional facilities and personnel as more spaces become available.
Luleå Municipality is tasked with developing a plan that regulates how the area can be built upon, which will be essential before any construction can begin. This significant investment not only highlights the growing focus on reforming the Swedish criminal justice system but also the local impact it will have on employment, with the addition of approximately 340 staff required for the new facilities, emphasizing opportunities for job creation in the region.
