Sweden revealed on Thursday, February 19th, what prison life will look like for children as young as 13 convicted of serious offences, a reform entering into force in July.
The government has prioritised the fight against surging crime rates and announced in January that it would reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13.
The Scandinavian country has struggled for more than a decade to contain a surge in organised violent crime, linked primarily settling scores between rival gangs and battles to control the drug market. The loosely-formed networks have increasingly recruited under-15s online as highly-paid hitmen to carry out bombings and shootings, knowing they would not face prison time if caught.
The reform is being introduced temporarily, limited to five years to start with. Eight existing prisons have been tasked with preparing special sections for children, with three of them due to open by July 1st when the reform is scheduled to enter into force, the government said.
The children will be kept separated from adult inmates, and will be locked in their cells for 11 hours at night instead of the 14 hours for adults, Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer told a press conference. In addition to attending school lessons during the day, the children will have their own cafeteria, recreation yard, gym and infirmary.
“Society and crime have changed fundamentally,” Strömmer said. “Young people in general commit fewer crimes. But those who do, commit more and much more serious crimes,” he said, adding that “it is much more common for youths to use weapons and explosives.”
