How many people are in prison in Denmark?
Prisons, remand and supervision.
Short answer
Danmarks Fængsler runs the country’s prisons and remand prisons (arresthuse). On a given day it is responsible for about 11,600 people. About 4,000 of them are in prisons or remand prisons, and about 7,600 are under supervision in other forms. Danmarks Fængsler is an agency under the Ministry of Justice.
Why
- About a third of the people the prison service handles are behind bars.
- The same agency runs both prisons and remand prisons.
- Supervision covers people serving outside prison walls.
Details
The agency is led by director Ina Eliasen.
Tip
If you look for information about a prison or visiting rules, search for Danmarks Fængsler, the agency that runs Danish prisons.
What may differ
The number of inmates changes from day to day, so the figures are approximate.
Common misconception
Everyone who is sentenced in Denmark goes to prison.
What actually happens
Most people the prison service is responsible for, about 7,600 of 11,600, are under supervision outside prison.
People also ask
- How long is a life sentence in Denmark?
- How many prisons are there in Denmark?
- What is an arresthus in Denmark?
Sources
- Ministry of Justice: Danmarks FængslerChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Laws, fines and rules can change, so check the Danish authorities before you travel.
Practical infoRelated questions
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What should you do after a traffic accident in Denmark?
If someone is injured or in danger, call 112 and ask for an ambulance or the police.
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What scams should you watch out for in Denmark?
The most common scams in Denmark come as fake text messages, Messenger messages, emails and phone calls from people pretending to be a bank or an authority.
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What happens after you report a crime to the police in Denmark?
Once your report is registered, you get a receipt with a case number (journalnummer) in e-Boks or on borger.dk.
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Can victims of crime get compensation from the Danish state?
Erstatningsnævnet decides applications for state compensation for physical or psychological injury caused by a breach of the Danish Criminal Code.