Government unveils major criminal justice reform: harsher sentences, more prison space, and focus on rehabilitation

Denmark’s newly presented justice reform includes doubled sentences for violent crimes, over 2,000 new prison places by 2036, and expanded use of alternatives like electronic monitoring and work-based rehabilitation. Critics question its effectiveness, but ministers insist on action over research

Photo: Photograph: Lars Svankjær / Danish Ministry of Justice.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, the Ministry of Justice.

Seljan Zeynalli

May 22, 2025

The Danish government has announced a crucial criminal justice reform aiming to toughen penalties for serious crimes, expand the prison system, and introduce smarter alternatives to incarceration. The reform was presented Thursday morning at a press conference held inside Vestre Fængsel by Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard (S), Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen (V), and Culture […]

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Photo: Photograph: Lars Svankjær / Danish Ministry of Justice.
Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, the Ministry of Justice.

Government unveils major criminal justice reform: harsher sentences, more prison space, and focus on rehabilitation

Denmark’s newly presented justice reform includes doubled sentences for violent crimes, over 2,000 new prison places by 2036, and expanded use of alternatives like electronic monitoring and work-based rehabilitation. Critics question its effectiveness, but ministers insist on action over research
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