Sweden to Open Specialized Prisons for 13- and 14-Year-Old Offenders by Summer 2026
Sweden plans to launch specialized prison units for 13- and 14-year-old offenders from July 2026, following a decision to lower the criminal responsibility age for serious crimes.
- • Sweden will open specialized prisons for 13- and 14-year-olds by July 2026.
- • The age of criminal responsibility for serious offenses is lowered from 15 to 13 years.
- • Facilities will be separate units specifically for younger teenagers with 100-150 total places.
- • Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer emphasizes education, treatment, and societal cooperation for young offenders.
Key details
Sweden is set to open dedicated prison facilities for 13- and 14-year-olds convicted of serious crimes starting July 1, 2026, following a government decision to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for severe offenses. This move aims to protect society and provide an appropriate response to younger offenders, with the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården) tasked with establishing special youth units across the country.
These new facilities will be separate from those existing for older teenagers (15-17 years) and will have a capacity between 100 and 150 places for youths aged 13 to 17. Locations for boys' units include Kumla, Österåker, Högsbo, Rosersberg, Skenäs, and Täby, while girls will be placed at units in Ystad and Sagsjön. The initiative aligns with a broader strategy where the Kriminalvården has already been preparing units for older youth offenders.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer emphasized that reducing the criminal responsibility age to 13 for serious offenses is designed to deliver justice for victims and help children diverge from criminal paths. He also highlighted the importance of embedding educational and treatment programs within these youth units and stressed that the law would initially be in effect for five years. Strömmer called for cooperation among social services, schools, police, and youth psychiatry to effectively address the challenges posed by young offenders.
Henrik Vinge, chairman of the Justice Committee from the Sweden Democrats, noted the urgency in addressing crimes committed by young individuals, citing recent incidents involving youths armed with automatic weapons. According to Vinge, strong societal measures are necessary to ensure safety and accountability.
This comprehensive approach reflects Sweden's response to an evolving social challenge, aiming both to protect society and provide tailored interventions for very young offenders while ensuring their legal accountability under a lowered age threshold.