In Denmark, court cases are tried by public attorneys paid for by the state. However, if someone is convicted of a crime, they have to repay their legal fees as soon as they serve their sentence.
As of 2023, the amount of debt in legal fees in Denmark is 6.6 billion Danish krone, or DKK, and is owed by 88,000 people.
Now, members of Parliament and advocacy groups are working to find solutions.
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Steffen Larsen, a member of Parliament and the conservative Liberal Alliance Party, stands in Christiansborg Palace, where the Danish Parliament meets. He said interest rates for formerly incarcerated people paying legal fees are too high. Image by Avery Sloan. Denmark, 2024. The Danish government, which meets in Christiansborg Palace, has created a team of researchers, politicians, and lawyers to find a solution to the prison debt problem. Image by Avery Sloan. 2024. Though he supports the formerly incarcerated not having to pay off debts immediately, Parliament member Steffen Larsen said, he believes they should still be responsible for the tax dollars they have cost Danish citizens. “You committed the crime,” Larsen said. “Why should I, the taxpayer, pay for your crimes?” Image by Avery Sloan. 2024. After serving a 14-year prison sentence, Hans Andersen received a letter detailing the nearly $75,000 bill he owed to the Danish government. After paying on his debt for 10 years with 8% interest, his debt was higher than when he was first released. Andersen is the information officer at Café Exit, which helps the formerly incarcerated understand their debt. Image by Avery Sloan. 2024. The Social Legal Aid Foundation in Copenhagen also works to help people serving a sentence understand their legal debt. Image by Avery Sloan. Denmark, 2024. Café Exit serves as both a cafe and a community space. It hosts events specifically for people who have served prison sentences. Café Exit has branches in Copenhagen, Odense, and Aarhus, according to its website. Image by Avery Sloan. Denmark, 2024. Art by formerly incarcerated people is displayed at Café Exit. Hans Andersen, who served a 14-year prison sentence, is now the information officer at Café Exit. Andersen works directly with former inmates and urges members of the Danish government to change the laws on prison debt. Image by Avery Sloan. Denmark, 2024.
