Estonia revamps criminal codes

Convicted drug dealers and murderers can do more time in prison while minor offenders may have to spend their weekends behind bars according to a new penal code that came into force Sept. 1.

The code introduces sweeping changes to Estonia's sentencing laws for criminal and administrative offenses, most of which date back to 1961. Some 119 existing legal acts have been amended.

The code increases prison terms for murder, drug trafficking and other felonies from 15 to 20 years, while those convicted of multiple crimes can face from 30 years to life in jail.

It also enables Estonia to extradite foreigners wanted for crimes in their home countries and empowers authorities to dissolve legal entities belonging to convicted felons.

Those convicted of drug trafficking, murder or organized crime may have their property seized and anyone convicted of drug-related crimes will have to face real prison time rather than suspended sentences.

For minor crimes such as drunk driving, judges may order public service instead of two-year sentences. Four hours of work would count for one day of arrest.

Justice Ministry officials say this will alleviate overcrowding in the country's prisons.

"Estonian prisons are packed. In 1997 we had 4,558 inmates, and at the moment the number is close to 5,000," said ministry spokeswoman Kristiina Herodes. "European regulations say Estonian prisons may hold no more than 3,000 prisoners."

In addition to relieving overcrowding, the new code also aims to deter minor crimes by allowing judges to hand out "part-time" jail time in which offenders will have to spend weekends behind bars.

"The point is to implement the so-called weekend imprisonment option in Estonia in order to reduce the negative consequences of a long detention," said Priit Pikamae, a Tallinn district court judge and a co-author of the new code. "People would go to jail on weekends but keep their jobs or carry on with studies. This option would not cut an individual out of society and will be helpful for young criminals."

A 5 percent decrease in crime in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, has not dented the rising rate of drug-related crimes, which are on the rise nationwide.

Police said basic drug-related crimes such as possession and sale jumped from 676 in 2000 to 1,050 in 2001 and were expected to continue rising this year.

The new code also protects men from sexual harassment - the old one addressed only sexual harassment of women - and bans human cloning.