Denmark (From Imprisonment Today and Tomorrow: International Perspectives on Prisoners' Rights and Prison Conditions, P 99-160, 1991, Dirk van Zyl Smit and Frieder Dunkel, eds. -- See NCJ-133824)

• NCJ Number: 133828
• Author(s): J Jepsen
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 62 pages
• Sale Source: Kluwer Law and Taxation Publishers
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Denmark's prison system appears progressive and humane compared to the systems of other countries, although recent reform proposals have focused on changing some of its loosely stated regulations to provide formal legal guarantees of prisoners' rights.

Abstract

Fines are the most frequent sanctions. Other sanctions include "haefts" (a short prison sentence) and conditional sentences of probation supervision, a fine, or imprisonment. Despite rising crime rates and pressure for stiffer penalties in recent years, Danish policymakers have avoided increasing the capacity and use of prisons. Instead, they have emphasized decriminalization and the introduction of community service orders and other alternatives to incarceration. Individual correctional institutions have much autonomy. The prisons operate under a pragmatic philosophy; work furloughs, other furloughs, and visits are encouraged to maintain contacts with outside communities. In 1989 a committee formed by the permanent Penal Code Committee recommended several reforms including the specification of prisoners' rights and exceptions, improved inmate pay rates, and the inmates' responsibility to be involved in work or education during the day. Tables, footnotes, and 27 references