The article reports on comments made by Moonika Helme in the Riigikogu, where she addressed questions about the operating costs of the Tartu prison. She specifically mentioned that although there was a misunderstanding regarding the clarification of the prison's expenses, the budget for this year allocates €629,960 for essential utilities like electricity, heating, and water. Helme's comments were in response to a previous inquiry by fellow member Varro Vooglaid regarding the prison's financial management and costs.

Helme emphasizes that the maintenance of Tartu prison cannot simply be reduced to the costs of just water, sewage, and heating, which she describes as an oversimplification. Her defense of the budget alludes to the complexities involved in prison maintenance, which involves a broader range of services and expenditures than what was implied by her critics. This highlights the scrutiny that public spending, especially in correctional facilities, undergoes in parliamentary discussions.

The article represents a critical viewpoint on how budgetary allocations are perceived within political discourse, particularly concerning public facilities like prisons. It serves as a reminder of the need for clarity and accuracy in discussions about state expenditures, reinforcing the idea that prison budgets play a significant role in broader discussions about fiscal responsibility and public welfare in Estonia.