Country

Estonia

Detention issue

Cell space

FRA research findings

View details

Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
Imprisonment Act (Vangistusseadus)A prisoner should have as a minimum 2,5 m2 floor space in the room and a chamber has to be at least 3 m2 big. The cells can be intended for one or several persons.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report
2019The Chancellor of Justice recommends replacing the cracked windows of the cells as soon as possible, as they may, among other things, pose a security risk. Report details
2020When inspecting Valga and Võru detention houses , Rakvere detention house , and Kärdla detention house , the Chancellor of Justice pointed out the following about video surveillance: Round-the-clock implementation of video surveillance in all cells is not in line with the standards of treatment of detainees. It is therefore necessary to consider in each individual case whether the detainee's 24-hour video surveillance is indispensable (e.g. due to state of health) and to decide whether and to what extent it could be used in a particular case. Report details
2020After inspecting Valga detention house, the Chancellor of Justice drew attention to poor living conditions: Until the completion of the new house, the living conditions of the Valga detention house must continue to be improved and – in accordance with the CPT's 2019 recommendations – detainees must not be kept in the detention house for more than 48 hours. Report details
2021During an inspection visit to Tartu Prison, the Chancellor of Justice found that several cells were in poor condition. Paint and plaster had peeled off the walls, there was mold on the floor, walls and ceiling of the sanitary facility, and broken tiles with sharp edges were detached from the wall. Detainees from several departments complained that the cell windows did not close properly. With strong winds, the cell is cold and rainwater comes in even when the window is closed. Report details