If the convicted person has not been taken into custody during the court proceedings, the county court enforcing the judgment will send the convicted person a notice specifying when and to which prison they must report to begin serving their sentence. Placement in prison is organised on the basis of the sentence plan. The notice states that if a person fails to report to prison by the designated time, the person may be ordered forcibly brought in or the person may be arrested at the prison’s request in accordance with section 429 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. If a convicted offender does not report to the prison at the specified time to serve their imprisonment, the prison transmits an application to the Police and Border Guard Board for the offender to be forcibly brought in. The process of mandating the enforcement of imprisonment is not suspended by the filing of an application for deferral of such enforcement. For more detailed information, see sections 415 and 416 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. 

A convicted person who knows in advance that they will be unable to report to prison at the time ordered by the court must contact the court in order to arrange the enforcement of the sentence, explain the reasons, and submit supporting evidence (for example a medical certificate, care agreements, or similar documents). In the event the person is forcibly brought in, the Police and Border Guard Board may seek reimbursement from the person for the costs incurred. Failure to report on time must be justified by a valid reason, and this reason must be documented in advance and formally confirmed through the court. 

When arriving at prison, individuals must take into account the list of permitted and prohibited items when bringing personal belongings. Each prison has different rules regarding permitted and prohibited items. It is recommended to bring as few items as possible, as this makes it easier to take them with you upon release. Hygiene products, stationery, food items, and clothing can be purchased from the prison e-shop. Individuals must arrive at prison sober and during working hours (Mon–Fri 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.).

Information related to a person in prison is generally not public. Therefore, the simplest and quickest way for relatives to obtain information is to communicate directly with the prisoner by letter or telephone. If you are unsure whether a relative is in prison or which prison they are in, it is possible to submit a digitally signed free-form enquiry directly to the prison by email.

• Tallinn Prison email: [email protected]
• Viru Prison email: [email protected]
• Tartu Prison email: [email protected]

Prisons do not provide information about prisoners by telephone.

All prisoners are first taken to a holding cell. Personal belongings are not permitted in the holding cell. Items that are allowed in prison will be returned to the prisoner inside the prison. Items that are not permitted in prison will be stored and returned upon release. Once the initial procedures (such as a health check, search, photographing, and similar procedures) have been completed and a suitable cell has been assigned in the accommodation unit, the prisoner is taken there.

• Prison Act
• Prison Internal Regulations

• Estonian Courts
• Republic of Estonia Prosecutor's Office