Double Penalties for Gang Criminals in Sweden Despite Criticism

Sweden is set to implement a significant shift in its penal system, introducing double penalties for gang criminals starting August 1, 2026. This move comes despite considerable criticism from legal experts and institutions, who have labeled the reforms as "hastily prepared" and inadequately considered.

The new legislation will see approximately 50 penalty scales become harsher. For instance, a gang member caught with a firearm could now face eight years in prison, a doubling from the previous four-year maximum. These doubled penalties will also apply to minors, though capped at 18 years. The government asserts that these changes are the most substantial since the Penal Code's inception in 1965, aiming to ensure that dangerous criminals are incarcerated, thereby enhancing the safety and confidence of law-abiding citizens.

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Dangerous criminals must be locked up, so that law-abiding people can feel safe in their homes and dare to be out.

However, the reforms have faced strong opposition. The Council on Legislation (Lagrådet) has deemed the proposals "hastily prepared" and lacking proper consideration of feedback from various stakeholders, concluding they are not yet ready to become law. Criminologists also question the effectiveness of extended sentences, pointing to studies suggesting they can be inefficient or even counterproductive in reducing crime.

Despite these concerns, the government is moving forward with other proposed changes, including the abolition of the current "quantity discount" for multiple offenses. The aim is to ensure that the full penalty scale is utilized, as the government believes the upper range is currently rarely applied. The reforms also include proposals to eliminate conditional release and supervision, replacing them with "conditional imprisonment," which carries clearer consequences for violations during the probation period.

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It is difficult for me to understand. One has solid evidence for what works and what does not work to reduce crime. Yet, one insists on using Swedish taxpayers' money for something that is not effective.