Sweden to Open Youth Prisons for Minors Convicted of Serious Crimes Starting July 2026

Sweden is set to introduce youth prisons for minors aged 13 to 17 convicted of serious offenses starting July 2026. This marks a major shift in the juvenile justice system, with new legislative proposals aiming to phase out the existing closed youth care system in favor of specialized youth detention facilities.

Three facilities—Rosersberg, Kumla, and Sagsjön—will begin accepting young offenders from July 1. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) emphasized that the reform aims to enhance societal protection against serious juvenile crime while providing a more effective approach to managing such offenders. The age of criminal responsibility will be temporarily lowered to 13 years for the most serious crimes such as murder, effective July 3, 2026, with the policy planned for a five-year trial period.

The new youth prisons are designed to keep minors separate from adults, featuring dedicated sports halls, recreational areas, and medical facilities. Minors will attend small classes with peers from their sections, supporting individualized education linked to rehabilitation efforts. Nighttime confinement will be restricted to a maximum of eleven hours, shorter than the fourteen hours permitted in adult prisons, reflecting a child-centered approach.

Each youth will receive an individualized rehabilitation plan developed collaboratively by the Correctional Service, social services, and guardians aimed at preventing recidivism and promoting a crime-free future. Maintaining contact with family and significant others is prioritized to mitigate incarceration's negative effects.

This reform responds to criticism that the current closed youth care system has been ineffective at deterring serious crime among juveniles. Strömmer criticized the existing framework as insufficient, asserting the new approach will better serve the needs of both youth offenders and society.

The Swedish National Board of Institutional Care (Statens institutionsstyrelse, Sis) will focus more exclusively on caring for children and youths who are forcibly taken into custody, ensuring more specialized attention to their needs.

In summary, the July 2026 launch of youth prisons represents Sweden's decisive move toward a more structured, rehabilitative, yet firm handling of minors convicted of serious crimes, balancing enhanced public safety with children's rights and welfare.