Prison Cell Rental Agreements: How Countries Help Each Other Manage Their Prison Populations in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

The recent trend of countries forming treaties that send prisoners from one country to another to serve their sentences has raised questions regarding the underlying policy. Broadly: How do countries help each other manage their prison populations and deal with criminals? In this Comment, an analysis of the more novel concept of foreign prison cell rentals is undertaken by examining recent instances where such treaties have been implemented or ratified. These include the prison cell rental agreements the Netherlands has signed with both Belgium and Norway, and a similar agreement signed by Denmark and Kosovo, discussed in Part III. Afterwards, a discussion of the potential legal ramifications of the United States’ agreement to enter a similar arrangement with El Salvador is undertaken, discussed in Part IV. Finally, a discussion of whether the foreign prison cell rental agreements are a viable method to deal with prison overcrowding, or whether countries are better suited to seek alternatives to foreign prison cell rental treaties to help alleviate overcrowding, follows in Part V.