[draugadrotten]

I have no numbers of scale, but it's an acknowledged problem.

(Public Swedish radio for reference Use google translate and read http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=105&arti... -- 5 of 17 known addicts in a small town are in prison by their own choice)

That said, I strongly believe that the "soft" prisons of Scandinavia is better for society than US prisons. Recidivism is one of the important measurement.

[vidarh]

It does not say that 5 of them are in prison by their own choice. It says that 5 of them are in prison.

Further, the article is very confused. It talks about prison (fängelse) some places, and jail other places (häkte) without acknowledging the big difference (häkte would imply someone has been placed under arrest and put in jail pending a trial and sentencing, but most would be let out after the decision of whether or not to press charges have been made, possibly the next morning).

That some may seek to get arrested and put in a jail cell on particularly cold nights (häkte) without worrying about the risk of charges and prison, may be possible, especially for a drug addict who might be making a decision like that in an impaired state.

But it is very different from trying to guess and time a prison sentence.

[belorn]

So they voluntary go to prison rather than staying in the street. The question should be, is that better or worse for society?