After ordering the construction of special sections for minors in prisons – which will replace closed educational centers – and presenting a series of reforms aimed at toughening sentences for young people between 15 and 17 years old, the ruling coalition in Sweden, formed by conservatives and Christian Democrats and liberals, supported by the extreme right, want to provide social services with coercive powers, to prevent at-risk young people from falling into crime.
Among the planned measures is the use of an electronic bracelet, recommended by the government investigation commission, which delivered its conclusions on Wednesday, November 13. It could be instituted for those over 15 years of age who already have one foot in crime, or are about to fall into it, in the event that social services suspect that these young people will not respect the curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that would be imposed on them. For the conservative Minister of Social Affairs, Camilla Waltersson Grönvall, this is not a ” punishment “but of a tool “prevention”.
Another proposal: Parents who refuse to follow social services directives (such as making sure their children go to school, do homework, participate in activities on their own time, or obey curfew) could be sentenced to life imprisonment. pay a fine. On the contrary, those who invest should be entitled to temporary parental benefit. Youths “who are at risk of developing dependence on an addictive substance” You may be subject to periodic screening.
According to the investigation commission’s estimates, 17,000 young people a year will be affected. “This may seem harsh, but making demands on parents and children is extremely important and necessary.”assures the minister. She wants as proof “40% of parents who reject an intervention” social services, while “The number of young people sentenced to confinement in closed education centers for minors has increased from about 60 to 200 in two years”.
Repressive turn
For Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, elected on a promise to reduce organized crime in Sweden, the goal is to ensure that “Today’s youth will not become tomorrow’s child soldiers.”. It is a pity that the measures that his coalition is preparing to take “It seems harsh from the point of view of Swedish social policy.” Kristersson attacks his predecessors, stating on Facebook, Thursday, November 14, that when his government took power, in October 2022, “there were practically no policies to prevent the recruitment of new gang members”.
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