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.
Victory for Fribourg Olympic
Fribourg Olympic are once again Swiss basketball champions, beating the Geneva Lions 86-66 to win their 23rd national title yesterday.
Is Switzerland’s 10-Million vote the new Brexit?
As Switzerland prepares to vote on capping immigration, observers are drawing parallels with Brexit.
Reports of suspected abuse cases in creches
Over the past five years, 22 reports of suspected sexual abuse in childcare settings have been passed to authorities across French-speaking Switzerland.
Stone martens find a home in Cornavin car park
A small wild animal has been living in the underground Cornavin car park in Geneva for around four months.
'On' CEO’s 80-hour work week sparks debate
Caspar Coppetti, co-founder and now co-CEO of Swiss sportswear company On, has sparked discussion after saying “the week has 80 working hours” when asked about his workload.
Switzerland vs France divide on trust in government
A new Franco-Swiss survey highlights clear differences in political attitudes between the two countries.
