kriminalforsorgens

Kriminalforsorgen, officially the Danish Prison and Probation Service, is a government agency within the Danish Ministry of Justice responsible for the enforcement of criminal sentences and the supervision of offenders. It operates Denmark’s state prisons and the probation service, and it administers facilities for pre-trial detention as part of the correctional system.

Its core functions include custody and security of inmates in state prisons, supervision of offenders on probation and parole in the community, and the administration of community-based sanctions. It handles intake, risk assessment, release planning, and aftercare to support reintegration. The agency provides education, vocational training, work programs, and access to health care, addiction treatment, and social services to promote rehabilitation.

Organizationally, Kriminalforsorgen is part of the Danish justice system and is led by a director general. It operates through regional offices and institutions across Denmark and collaborates with municipalities, the police, health authorities, and social services to ensure coordinated supervision and support after release.

The overarching aim is safe custody combined with rehabilitation to reduce re-offending and facilitate successful reentry into society, while upholding human rights and humane treatment of detainees in line with national and international standards. The system has evolved to emphasize rehabilitation and community-based sanctions and continues to adapt to policy priorities, budgeting, and modernization efforts.