All programmes
Could Lithuanian Inmates One Day Hold Their Own Cell Keys?
Alternative sanctions are an essential part of the justice system. On February 29, the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) hosted an international conference to discuss electronic monitoring—a system where offenders wear ankle bracelets instead of serving time in prison.
Experts from Lithuania, Norway, France, Croatia and Latvia—including representatives from justice institutions, probation services and non-governmental organisations—shared insights on the benefits and challenges of alternative sanctions. They agreed that electronic monitoring should be combined with rehabilitation and employment programs, while also ensuring data protection and privacy.
"If we want a fair and effective justice system, we must use alternative sanctions. They reduce repeat offenses and make communities safer," said Norwegian Ambassador to Lithuania, Ole Terje Horpestad.
Lithuania’s Minister of Justice, Ewelina Dobrowolska, added that alternative sanctions help inmates reintegrate into society by allowing them to work and stay connected with their families while serving their sentences.
"Our goal is to select the most effective resocialisation method for each offender," she said.
Electronic monitoring is becoming increasingly common across Europe. In 2021, around 50,000 offenders wore ankle bracelets, and by 2026, this number is expected to reach 77,000.
However, experts warned that electronic monitoring should not be used alone—it should be paired with rehabilitation and employment programs.
"Not all offenders are suitable for electronic monitoring. It should be used only after assessing the risk of repeat offenses," explained Daniel Danglades, Deputy Head of the European and International Relations Department at the French Prison and Probation Service. In France, one in ten offenders wears an ankle bracelet.
Lithuania introduced electronic monitoring in 2012, and since 2020, with funding from Norway, the system has been upgraded with tracking, voice recognition and alcohol monitoring technologies.
Electronic monitoring is used not only as an alternative to prison but also during pre-trial investigations to restrict movement, contact with victims, or leaving a designated area. In 2023, nearly 3,000 people in Lithuania were under electronic monitoring.
Despite the benefits, some offenders resist electronic monitoring by tampering with the devices or trying to remove them.
Bjørn Larsen, Head of the Western Police District of Norway and a prosecutor, shared a thought-provoking question:
"Who would you rather have as your neighbor—someone who has gone through community rehabilitation or someone just released from prison?"
He and other experts stressed that ex-prisoners will return to society eventually, so proper reintegration is crucial. Latvia’s Probation Service Director, Imants Jurevičius, also emphasized the need to focus less on punishment logistics and more on rehabilitation.
Norway takes a unique approach to corrections, prioritising privacy and trust. In some prisons, inmates even have their own cell keys, symbolising responsibility and dignity.
Unlike in many countries where prisons are overcrowded, Norway manages space carefully. Non-dangerous offenders are placed on a waiting list before serving their sentence, while the most dangerous ones go to prison immediately.
"Our policy is to have one inmate per cell. Shared cells are rare," explained Kim Ekhaugen, Director of International Cooperation at the Norwegian Correctional Service. He added that Norway is now exploring ways to reduce unnecessary supervision.
Another key factor is public trust in institutions—in Norway, over 80% of people trust judges. Conference participants linked this trust to low levels of poverty, crime, and corruption and strong cooperation between institutions.
"For alternative sanctions to work, different institutions must collaborate daily," said Sandra Remeikienė, Head of the EEA and Norway Programmes Division at CPVA.
She expressed hope that the conference helped strengthen cooperation between organisations working toward a fairer and more effective justice system.
The event was funded by the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norwegian Financial Mechanism’s "Justice and Home Affairs" programme.
About the Justice and Home Affairs programme:
The Justice and Home Affairs programme is strengthening the rule of law in Lithuania. Various measures of the programme increase the efficiency of the Lithuanian judiciary and prosecution service, improve the penal enforcement system, strengthen the competences of the judiciary and law enforcement authorities and inter-institutional cooperation in the field of domestic and gender-based violence, and improve the capacity of the police in fighting crime. In total, more than €40 million has been allocated to the programme for the period 2014-2021. The programme is operated by the CPVA and implemented in partnership with partners.
The Justice and Home Affairs programme is strengthening the rule of law in Lithuania. Various measures of the programme increase the efficiency of the Lithuanian judiciary and prosecution service, improve the penal enforcement system, strengthen the competences of the judiciary and law enforcement authorities and inter-institutional cooperation in the field of domestic and gender-based violence, and improve the capacity of the police in fighting crime. In total, more than €40 million has been allocated to the programme for the period 2014-2021. The programme is operated by the CPVA and implemented in partnership with partners.