The Conservative People’s Party (Det Konservative Folkeparti) of Denmark aims to change the country’s rules regarding parole for life-sentenced inmates. The proposal seeks to raise the threshold for eligibility for parole from 12 to 20 years. This initiative arises in response to the fact that life sentences are no longer considered the most severe punishment in Denmark due to the double sentencing that can result from gang-related crimes.
Mai Mercado, the party’s spokesperson on justice matters, emphasizes that the intention behind the proposal is to ensure that life imprisonment remains the country’s strictest penalty. Currently, gang-related criminals can receive sentences of up to 20 years, while those sentenced to life can seek parole after just 12 years. The Conservative People’s Party seeks to rectify this situation by extending the minimum period for parole eligibility for life sentences to 20 years.
While the average time for parole for life-sentenced individuals currently hovers around 16 to 17 years, Mercado believes that this proposal will clarify the seriousness of life sentences. The Danish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalforsorgen) will continue to be responsible for making decisions about parole.
Mercado acknowledges that research indicates that longer sentences do not have a direct deterrent effect. Nevertheless, she insists that the matter involves both justice for the victims and the prevention of further crimes by offenders.
Denmark’s prison system has faced significant capacity challenges in recent years, with many facilities operating at over 100% capacity. Consequently, Mercado is also focused on expanding prison capacity, including a proposal to rent prison space in Kosovo, as well as possibly bringing Kosovo police officers to Denmark temporarily.
This proposal will be part of a broader criminal justice reform that the government plans to present in a few months. The purpose of this reform is to ensure that Denmark’s penal system accurately reflects the seriousness and consequences of the most severe crimes.