Supervising a probation client costs 15 times less than imprisonment, Latvia's Justice Ministry says

Latvia's Ministry of Justice, citing data from the State Probation Service (VPD), has highlighted a large cost gap between community supervision and imprisonment. Supervising one probation client costs the state an average of €4.15 per day, while holding one person in custody costs around €62 per day — roughly 15 times more.

Last year the VPD handled nearly 15,000 cases in total, including 7,931 supervision cases and 4,347 community service cases. The ministry describes the service as an important part of the justice system, helping reduce reoffending and supporting people's return to society after serving a sentence.

Meeting with VPD leadership this week, Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns said successful reintegration benefits not just the individual but society as a whole, resulting in fewer new crimes, fewer victims and a safer state. He stressed that people willing to take responsibility and start over should receive real support — not just supervision, but also work opportunities, trust and people around them who help keep them on the right path.

Outcomes and ongoing reforms

Last year, people under supervision completed close to 300,000 hours of community service, generating an estimated €1.26 million in value for society. About 80% of people under electronic monitoring start working within their first month of supervision. Over 100 specialists have been trained to work with children and young people, operating out of dedicated units in Riga, Liepāja and Daugavpils.

The service's workload has risen significantly since the start of 2024. In response, the VPD has identified over 150 measures to cut administrative burden, aiming to free up more time for specialists to work directly with people. Rollout of a new electronic monitoring system and e-case tools is also ongoing. Around 120 volunteers, mentors, mediators and support-circle participants currently take part in probation work, alongside cooperation with non-governmental organisations. Riga is set to host the World Congress on Probation in 2028.