Danish convicts hire 'doubles'

Danes have discovered this week that their prison system could be much more liberal than they thought.

Denmark jails fewer people than other countries, and gives them shorter sentences - and now it turns out that they don't even have to go behind bars.

Reports said convicts could hire people to serve their sentences, because photographic ID was not required.

One prisoner said there were hundreds of cases per year, though officials said they knew of only six since 1996.

Minor offences

Stand-in inmates interviewed by the Ekstra Bladet newspaper on Wednesday said they were usually hired by people sentenced to jail for minor or middle-ranking offences.

They said they could be hired for 30 days for drink driving, 60 days for violent crime or 18 months for drug dealing.

The substitutes are usually found through discreet temping agencies.

One of them said it was "child's play", because prison authorities ask only for a social security card and the original conviction document when they turn up at the gates.

Denmark's social security cards, which do not carry photographs or fingerprints, are accepted throughout the country as official identity documents.

However, a legal assistance organisation - Krim - doubted whether the problem was as widespread as the reports suggested.

"In most cases the police have photographs of those who have been convicted so identification is not a problem," its chairman, Claus Bonnez, said.

Investigation ordered

He added that prisons were entitled to demand fingerprints.

Those caught impersonating a real inmate face a fine and up to a year in prison.

Justice Minister Lene Espersen said she considered the matter "very serious", and ordered an investigation.

"The cases that have been reported in the media unfortunately indicate there is a need to tighten (the procedures) even further," she said.

Original Topic.

Seems like a good way to make a living. Denmark, here I come!

I've posted this at UnNamed as well. Seems that I don't have to give Solaris all the credit this time.