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 […]

Full version of this article is only available to subscribers.

Already a subscriber, sign in here:

Lost your password?

Gain unlimited access to all of The Copenhagen Post

Our independent reporting can only be published with support from our readers.

Monthly subscription

119

DKK/month.

(Billed once a month)

Give us a try

6 month subscription

99

DKK/month.

(Billed twice a year)

Save 120 DKK

Yearly subscription

79

DKK/month.

(Billed once a year)

Save 480 DKK

Save with a company subscription?

Full version of this article is only available to subscribers.

Already a subscriber, sign in here:

Lost your password?

Gain unlimited access to all of The Copenhagen Post

Our independent reporting can only be published with support from our readers.

Monthly subscription

119

DKK/month.

(Billed once a month)

Give us a try

6 month subscription

99

DKK/month.

(Billed twice a year)

Save 120 DKK

Yearly subscription

79

DKK/month.

(Billed once a year)

Save 480 DKK

Save with a company subscription?

Full version of this article is only available to subscribers.

Already a subscriber, sign in here:

Lost your password?

Gain unlimited access to all of The Copenhagen Post

Our independent reporting can only be published with support from our readers.

Monthly subscription

119

DKK/month.

(Billed once a month)

Give us a try

6 month subscription

99

DKK/month.

(Billed twice a year)

Save 120 DKK

Yearly subscription

79

DKK/month.

(Billed once a year)

Save 480 DKK

Save with a company subscription?

Full version of this article is only available to subscribers.

Already a subscriber, sign in here:

Lost your password?

Gain unlimited access to all of The Copenhagen Post

Our independent reporting can only be published with support from our readers.

Monthly subscription

119

DKK/month.

(Billed once a month)

Give us a try

6 month subscription

99

DKK/month.

(Billed twice a year)

Save 120 DKK

Yearly subscription

79

DKK/month.

(Billed once a year)

Save 480 DKK

Save with a company subscription?

When cars sing: A forest choir of decay and echo

Cars Choir – The Redemption Sound is a sound installation by Mons Niklas Schak, turning decaying cars in a Swedish forest into resonant speakers that explore image and sound in time
Copenhagen and Frederiksberg for free
Copenhagen ranked among global leaders for creative nightlife

Copenhagen just made its way to second best nightlife place in the latest Creative Footprint report made by VibeLab, beating out cities like Tokyo and New York with its numerous and accessible scenes. Behind the high score, the report also points out the city risks losing its underground spirit — unless it makes more room for community-driven, experimental venues
Job vacancies rise in Denmark

After a decline during 2022–2023, the number of vacancies has been increasing since 2024. However, there are still differences between geographical areas and industries
Danish NGOs on the edge of chaos: A reckoning long overdue

Danish international NGOs face major challenges as funding shifts and their slow, costly structures struggle to adapt. Local groups lack real control, and technology use is limited. Without clear changes, these NGOs risk losing influence and effectiveness.
Parliament approves exemptions to cash benefit requirements for adoptees and others

Parliament exempts adoptees, children born abroad, and Danes sent abroad by the state from strict new cash benefit rules after backlash, aiming to balance fairness with employment-focused welfare reform.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Career

Job vacancies rise in Denmark

After a decline during 2022–2023, the number of vacancies has been increasing since 2024. However, there are still differences between geographical areas and industries
Most people in Denmark find jobs through ads and networking, survey shows

A survey conducted on 18,000 people shows that one-third of those interviewed found a job through their personal network, the same proportion as those who found a job via job advertisements. Institutional channels, like job centers, lag behind
40% of unemployed in Denmark found jobs in 2024

An analysis from AE, using data from Eurostat, states that in 2024, around 40% of unemployed people found a job. For those who were long-term unemployed, the figure was 28%. It’s the best performance in Europe.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Jobs