Madsen escape sparks security tightening

Last week’s escape has seriously undermined the image of Denmark’s prison security, but that is a challenge they are seeking to overcome

Luke Roberts

Oct 27, 2020

When one of Herstedvester Prison’s most notorious inmates escaped last week, many questions were raised regarding Denmark’s security services.

Though his escape was short-lived, it has brought about at least some security changes at the prison.

World headlines
Claiming that he was carrying a bomb, Peter Madsen managed to wander out of Herstedvester Prison last Tuesday. He made it just 500 metres before he was again arrested.

Serving a sentence of life sentence for the abuse, murder and mutilation of Swedish journalist Kim Wall in his submarine, his is a story that has gripped the world.

Home truths
The escape caused a great deal of outrage, with the justice minister, Nick Hækkerup, requesting a statement from Kriminalforsorgen that is expected to be released in the next couple of weeks.

More immediately, a reinforcement team has been sent in to boost prison officer numbers, while a ‘security task force’ has been set up to implement new measures to avoid such an event happening again in the future.

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