The Ministry of Justice and Digitalization in Estonia has stated that the only solution to prevent the permanent closure of Tartu prison is to establish a rental agreement with Sweden. The Ministry emphasized the urgency of this arrangement in light of recent budget cuts that have already resulted in the shutdown of one of Tartu prison's buildings, the loss of almost one hundred jobs, and the relocation of a significant portion of inmates to Tallinn and Viru prisons.

Tiina Unuks, the head of the prison work administration at the ministry, explained that these fiscal reductions have severely impacted the operations of the prison system. The ongoing adjustments in staffing and resources have created a challenging environment for maintaining adequate facilities for the incarcerated population. The pressure on the penal system reflects broader issues related to public funding for essential services in Estonia, highlighting the tension between fiscal policy and social needs.

As the situation develops, the Ministry continues to explore options for collaboration with Sweden, hoping that a rental agreement can provide the necessary support to keep Tartu prison operational. This proposed solution illustrates the complexities of prison management within the context of financial constraints and the urgent need to address infrastructure challenges in the Estonian correctional system.