Why Sweden Wants to Send 13-Year-Old Offenders to Secure Detention Facilities

Sweden is considering a major overhaul of its juvenile justice system by lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 and placing convicted minors in specialized detention facilities, as the country grapples with a surge in gang-related crime.

The proposal comes after years of increasing violence involving young offenders, including shootings, bombings, drug trafficking, robberies and fraud linked to organized criminal networks. Swedish authorities say criminal gangs have increasingly recruited children and teenagers to carry out illegal activities, prompting calls for tougher measures.

According to Reuters, gangs have used social media platforms to recruit and manipulate minors, sometimes as young as 11 years old, to commit crimes across the Nordic region.

Swedish police estimate there are more than 17,500 active gang members in the country, along with approximately 50,000 associates connected to criminal networks.

The center-right government, which took office in 2022, argues that existing policies have failed to curb youth crime and that stronger intervention is needed to prevent gangs from exploiting minors.

Under the proposed legislation, children aged 13 and 14 convicted of serious crimes could be placed in secure youth detention facilities. Authorities say separate accommodations would be provided for boys and girls.

The facilities would combine punishment with rehabilitation, offering education, physical exercise, recreational activities and structured daily routines aimed at helping young offenders reintegrate into society.

Government officials say the goal is not only to hold young criminals accountable but also to reduce repeat offending and prevent further gang recruitment.

Sweden's parliament is scheduled to vote on the proposal on June 15, 2026. If approved, the law would be reviewed after five years to assess its effectiveness.

The proposal has sparked debate over how best to balance public safety, rehabilitation and children's rights as Sweden confronts one of the most significant crime challenges in its modern history.