In Sweden, the government has proposed a controversial plan allowing children as young as 13, who commit serious crimes like murder and significant explosions, to serve time in juvenile prisons rather than youth care facilities. This measure has spurred the creation of new sections within existing prisons, specifically designed to accommodate young offenders. In Rosersberg, located north of Stockholm, one of the first such facilities is being set up, which will feature small units housing six children each, with a higher staff-to-inmate ratio compared to that found in adult prisons.

Anstalten Rosersberg is among eight prisons in Sweden preparing to welcome minor offenders, emphasizing a shift from rehabilitative youth programs to incarceration for young criminals. The plan has sparked debates about the appropriateness of imprisoning youth for serious offenses and the adequacy of such facilities to foster rehabilitation. Facility head Gabriel Wessman highlights the commitment to maintaining a supportive environment, indicating that the staffing will ensure close supervision and guidance for the younger inmates.

As this initiative rolls out, it raises critical questions regarding youth justice in Sweden, including potential impacts on the children involved and broader societal implications. The policy reflects a shift in how the Swedish government, along with the Sweden Democrats (SD), views child crime and justice, igniting discussions about the best pathways to address youth offending, accountability, and rehabilitation versus punishment.