Background & Purpose

Previously, young people who committed serious crimes were sent to special youth homes run by the state. The government argued that the system needed to change to ensure better control and clearer consequences for serious criminal behavior.

The Decision

The parliament decided to abolish closed youth care for 15-17 year olds and replace it with prison sentences, shifting the responsibility to the Swedish Prison and Probation Service.

Does this affect you?

  • Young offenders aged 15-17: They will serve their sentences in prison facilities instead of youth homes and will be subject to conditional release and supervision.
  • Swedish Prison and Probation Service: They are now responsible for managing and supervising young offenders who were previously handled by the youth care system.

In Practice

  • Young offenders will be placed in specially adapted prison units designed for their age and needs.
  • The rules for conditional release will now apply to these young people, meaning they will be under supervision after leaving prison.
  • The length of the sentences will be adjusted to match the new system, where a four-year youth care sentence is converted to a six-year prison sentence.
  • The Swedish Prison and Probation Service takes over the full responsibility for these individuals.