Suspended financial penalties look set to be eliminated in favour of short prison stays as part of a wide-ranging reform of the criminal code.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch and agencies
The justice ministry said it had been mandated to finalise plans for parliament by next March.
The system of suspended fines was only introduced in 2007 but has been widely criticised.
“To be effective and credible, criminal law must be accepted by the population which must have belief in the effectiveness of sanctions,” a statement said on Wednesday.
The use of electronic bracelets to allow some sentences to be carried out in the community would also be regulated in the new laws.
Most parties and cantonal authorities came out in favour of the proposals, according to the justice ministry.
The government put forward a series of amendments to the penal code last June and invited political parties, organisations and institutions for consultation.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Prisons urged to adapt for older prisoners
This content was published on
Researchers concluded that the institutions were not adequately prepared for this and suggested separating older prisoners from other inmates for social and health reasons. In 2008, 302 people over 50 were behind bars – 11.2 per cent of all inmates. Of these, 103 were over 60. The increase was put down mainly to inmates who…
This content was published on
This was the first time that the commission had evaluated prisons. The 12-member group, which includes experts from various fields, visited three in 2010 and released its findings on Tuesday. It found that the women’s prison in Hindelbank, canton Bern, was far too strict and crowded – and its sanitary facilities in need of an…
This content was published on
swissinfo.ch joined local politicians gathered at the prison to attend the inauguration of the building, which has been welcomed by all parties as a step in the right direction. Located between two residential villages in the Geneva suburbs, within sight of the French border, Champ Dollon prison is a vast building site. Three cranes tower…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.