13 åringar i fängelse text Swedish and English

SWEDISH GOVERNMENT DECISION ON 13-YEAR-OLD SENTENCING SPARKS DEBATE OVER EFFECTIVENESS AND ETHICS OF INCARCERATING YOUNG OFFENDERS

Stockholm, Sweden - The Swedish government's recent decision to allow 13-year-olds to be sentenced to prison has reignited a long-standing debate over the age of criminal responsibility and the most effective methods for rehabilitating young offenders.

Proponents of the change argue that it will provide a clearer legal framework for punishing serious crimes committed by older pre-teenagers. However, critics warn that the evidence points to the opposite: that locking up young teenagers often does more harm than good, leading to increased recidivism, poor mental health, and reduced life chances.

Studies have consistently shown that children imprisoned before the age of 14 are more likely to reoffend and struggle in adulthood. According to a report by The Sentencing Project, up to 94% of juveniles incarcerated between 10 and 12 years old are rearrested by the time they reach adulthood. These individuals also experience higher rates of depression, suicide, and poor overall health. Look at the video