The prisons are full – but not with criminals.
According to new federal statistics, more than half of all inmates are behind bars simply because they couldn’t pay a fine.
Last year alone, nearly 5,000 were jailed for not paying a fine - often for things like fare evasion.
Each short stay costs taxpayers around 200 francs a day.
A proposal in Parliament aims to replace such jail time with community service.
The Federal Council says this would ease the burden on prisons and save money.
Increase in burglaries
Burglaries are surging across French-speaking Switzerland, with Geneva the hardest hit canton in the country
Car accident near Geneva
Three men are in a critical condition in hospital after a wrong-way crash this morning on the A40 motorway at Saint-Julien-en-Genevois
Concerns over new Lausanne tram service
Lausanne's new tram is already drawing complaints — before it even enters service
More money for AI experts
Swiss companies will pay most for AI expertise next year, according to a new salary guide from recruiter Robert Half
Another minor earthquake hits Switzerland
A magnitude 3.8 earthquake has struck near the Diablerets in Vaud this morning, felt across a wide area of the Alps
First taste of winter
Winter has arrived in the Alps
