Sweden Establishes First High-Security Prisons for Women at Tidaholm and Saltvik

Historic Move for Swedish Correctional System

The Swedish Prison and Probation Service has announced a significant development in its correctional system: the establishment of dedicated high-security class 1 places for women at the Tidaholm and Saltvik institutions. This initiative marks the first time that Sweden will have prisons specifically designed for female inmates requiring the highest level of security. The decision, announced on September 30, 2025, responds to a growing trend of women receiving longer sentences for serious crimes.

Addressing Evolving Security Needs

Historically, Sweden's prison system has not included security class 1 facilities specifically for women. , Prisons in Sweden are categorized into three security levels, with Class 1 representing the highest security, characterized by closed facilities designed for high-risk detainees. , Susanne Wedin, director for prison, custody and probation, stated in a press release that 'The development in recent years with women being sentenced to increasingly longer sentences for serious crime makes it necessary for us to take this measure.' Thomas Wihrén, an expert in capacity and analysis, noted that approximately 15 inmates currently require placement in a class 1 facility.

Capacity and Implementation Timeline

The new high-security units will be implemented in phases. The Tidaholm prison is slated to offer 24 women's places starting from the turn of the year, likely early 2026. Tidaholm is already a security level 1 prison and is undergoing an expansion project to increase its overall capacity from 180 to approximately 320 places, with security system installations scheduled for completion in 2028. , The Saltvik institution, located in Härnösand, is expected to have 40 women's places operational by 2028. Saltvik, which opened in autumn 2010, currently has 134 cells and is recognized as one of the country's security institutions. , ,

Context of Women in Swedish Prisons

Currently, the Swedish correctional system provides over 500 places for women, but these are distributed across security classes 2 and 3. Women constitute a relatively small proportion of the total prison population in Sweden, accounting for around 7 percent. , The largest existing women's prison in Sweden is Hinseberg Manor, which as of 2020, could accommodate 96 women. The establishment of these new high-security units reflects a strategic adaptation by the Swedish Prison and Probation Service to ensure appropriate and secure accommodation for all inmates, aligning with the evolving demographics and security requirements within the female prison population.