In Denmark, where the crime rate has increased considerably over the past 20 years, sanctions allowed by the Penal Code include fines, lenient imprisonment, and imprisonment; 55 percent of reported criminal offenses in 1989 were property crimes.
The primary principles governing the use of imprisonment include using prison as a last resort, rehabilitating offenders, giving the inmate responsibility for self- administration, releasing the prisoner on probation and aftercare, and instilling a sense of personal integrity. While inmates are usually placed in open prisons, those who are deemed to be particularly dangerous or who pose a high risk of escape or adverse influence on fellow inmates are placed in closed institutions. This report describes the organization of Denmark's correctional service, focusing on the system's structure, budget, staff, and facilities. The chapter on prison operation outlines inmate characteristics and summarizes various programs including work programs, education and training, social welfare, leisure time activities, religious activities, health service, visits, leaves of absence, and disciplinary measures.