Sweden's centre-right government on Thursday announced it would abandon plans to detain violent offenders as young as 13 in specialized prison units, citing a lack of support in parliament for the proposal. The move marks a significant retreat from one of the administration's tougher measures ahead of national elections.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said the government would shift its focus toward drafting legislation to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14, down from the current 15. He described the change as one component of a broader effort to confront rising gang-related crime that has involved an increasing number of young people.
Sweden has experienced a notable increase in gang-related shootings and bombings over the past decade, with dozens of such incidents attributed to minors. Strommer told reporters that more than 50 children under the age of 15 were brought to court last year suspected of murder or attempted murder.
Under the existing legal framework, children convicted of serious crimes are sent to youth homes. Strommer noted that most inmates from these facilities go on to reoffend, and framed the proposed changes as intended to better protect society and victims. "The aim of the measures was 'to protect society from life-threatening crime, to protect victims of crime, often themselves children,'" he said, and added, "By lowering the age of criminal responsibility ... fairer and proportionate sanctions can be imposed, and we will be able to create better conditions for rehabilitation than today."
Strommer explained that the government chose to withdraw the proposal to create special prison units for 13-year-olds rather than risk a parliamentary vote that could have preserved the current system. The ruling coalition holds only a narrow majority in the legislature - a majority that depends on the support of the Sweden Democrats - and some lawmakers within the government camp were expected to oppose the measure.
The administration, which opinion polls show trailing ahead of the September elections, has recently implemented several criminal justice changes, including granting police expanded powers and imposing tougher sentences. The idea of placing children as young as 13 in specialized prison units prompted criticism from opposition parties and experts who argued there is no evidence such an approach is effective.
International guidance and regional norms were also cited in the debate. The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child recommends a minimum age of criminal responsibility of at least 14, and the average age across Europe is 14.
Summary
Sweden has shelved a plan to incarcerate violent offenders as young as 13 and will pursue lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 14 amid concerns over juvenile involvement in gang violence and limited parliamentary support for harsher measures.