Sweden Introduces Prison Plan For Children

Sweden, on Thursday, revealed how prison life will be structured for children as young as 13 convicted of serious crimes, a reform set to take effect in July that has already sparked widespread criticism.

The minority rightwing government, backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats, has made tackling rising crime rates a top priority. In January, it announced plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13.

A majority of the 126 authorities consulted on the change, including the police and prison service, opposed the move or raised serious concerns. Despite this, the government has pressed ahead with the reform.

Sweden has struggled for more than a decade to contain a surge in organised violent crime, largely linked to gang rivalries and battles over the drug trade.

Loosely organised networks have increasingly recruited children under 15 online as highly-paid hitmen, exploiting the fact that they could not previously face prison if caught.

Eight existing prisons have been tasked with creating special sections for children, with three sets to open by July 1, when the reform comes into force, the government said.

The children will be kept separate from adult inmates and locked in their cells for 11 hours at night, compared with 14 hours for adults, Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer told reporters.

In addition to attending school lessons during the day, the children will have access to their own cafeteria, recreation yard, gym, and infirmary.

“Society and crime have changed fundamentally,” Strommer said.

“Young people in general commit fewer crimes. But those who do commit more and much more serious crimes,” he added, noting that “it is much more common for youths to use weapons and explosives.”

Children’s rights organisation Bris described the reform as “counter-productive, insufficiently researched and violates children’s rights.”

The group warned that locking such young children in prison could increase repeat offending and push criminal networks to recruit even younger children.

The government said the measure will be temporary, applying for an initial period of five years.