Court proceedings conclude with the reading of the court ruling. If the convicted person wishes to examine the contents of the ruling in greater detail, they may request a copy of the court ruling. 

The ruling includes a description of the offence, the sentence imposed, and the reasoning behind it, as well as the deadline and procedure for appealing the ruling. It is recommended that the convicted person read the ruling carefully and discuss it with a legal adviser in order to determine whether there are grounds for an appeal. 

Public court rulings are available electronically through Riigi Teataja. Rulings are made available after they enter into force, provided that no restrictions on publication prescribed by law apply to the ruling. 
Court rulings are published by the courts in the courts information system. Riigi Teataja only provides the option to search for final rulings published by the courts. If a court ruling that should be published cannot be found in Riigi Teataja, the relevant court must be contacted in order to review it. The contact details of the courts can be found on the websites of courts. The contact details of the courts can be found on the websites of courts. 

The search page allows users to search all first- and second-instance rulings made public after 2006, as well as all Supreme Court rulings.

Parties to the proceedings (for example defendants, victims, and claimants) can access rulings and other court documents through the e-File portal. This is a self-service environment that serves as a digital gateway for participating in court and criminal proceedings. The portal allows users to log in using an ID card, Mobile-ID, or Smart-ID, submit and receive procedural documents, monitor the progress of proceedings, and view court case files through the digital case file system. In addition, users can make criminal record enquiries about themselves and others in e-File. Victims can find more detailed information about their rights on the prison service website.

A court ruling enters into force when the appeal deadline has passed and no one has challenged it. The convicted person and other parties to the proceedings have the right to file an appeal within the prescribed time limit, but if no appeal is submitted, the judgment is considered final and is forwarded to the prison for enforcement.

Informing relatives 
Serving a prison sentence affects not only the individual but also their relatives – emotionally, practically, and often financially. Providing early and honest information helps reduce uncertainty, prevent rumours, and enables relatives to reorganise their lives accordingly. 

Informing relatives is also important because communication arrangements during imprisonment differ from normal everyday life (visits, correspondence, telephone calls). When relatives know what is happening and when, it is easier for them to adapt and maintain supportive contact. 

If the convicted person has any children, it is recommended to speak honestly with them before going to prison. The prison service guide for parents recommends explaining to the child clearly and at an age-appropriate level why the parent has to go to prison (for example, ‘I did something that was not allowed’), and answering the questions of the child gradually and without blaming others. 

The guide emphasises that parental honesty and taking responsibility increase the respect of the child for the parent in the long term. Parents can prepare together to answer unavoidable questions (‘What have you done? Why? When are you coming home?’). This helps the child better understand the situation and reduces feelings of guilt.

Notifying the employer 
If a person has to begin serving a prison sentence, the prison does not automatically notify their employer. An employment relationship is generally a legal relationship between the employee and employer, and the employee has an obligation to inform the employer of their inability to continue working (temporarily). 

In practice, this means that before entering prison, the employee should contact their employer and agree whether the employment relationship will be terminated, suspended, or whether another solution will be found. If the employee fails to do so, the employer may treat the absence from work as a breach of employment obligations and terminate the employment contract unilaterally.

Before going to prison, it is advisable to review and organise your financial affairs. This means:

• paying off loans, bills, and other obligations, or agreeing revised payment schedules with creditors;
• deciding whether there is a need for an authorised person (for example a relative) who can access and use the bank account, and arranging a power of attorney with the bank if necessary;
• notifying the Social Insurance Board, if required, about the upcoming prison sentence in order to suspend benefit payments;
• reviewing standing payments (such as rent, utility bills, and insurance) and changing or cancelling them if necessary;
• reviewing existing contracts (for example rental agreements, leasing contracts, and telephone contracts) and deciding whether they need to be terminated or suspended.  

If you have debts, it is important to contact creditors at an early stage in order to avoid additional costs and late payment interest.

• Prison Act
• Prison Internal Regulations

• Estonian Courts
• Republic of Estonia Prosecutor's Office