Sweden's Kumla Prison Opens Doors to First Minor Inmates Under New Law

Kumla prison in Sweden has opened its doors to its first minor inmates, marking a significant shift in the country's correctional system. The facility has received fewer than ten 17-year-olds and a handful of 18-year-olds, all transferred from other correctional institutions.

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Why should children who are already in correctional care continue to be in regular prisons when there are no obstacles to them being with us? We look after their needs, and the children's best interests must always come first.

These young individuals were previously sentenced for grave violent offenses. Their transfer to Kumla aligns with a new law that took effect on July 1, which mandates that prison sentences replace closed youth care for those aged 15 to 17 who commit serious crimes. Kumla is one of eight prisons with dedicated children's units but is the first to house younger individuals already serving prison sentences.

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But the places are not really made for 18-year-olds, they are intended for children under 18 years.

Jacques Mwepu, the head of Kumla prison, explained the rationale behind the change. "Why should children who are already in correctional care continue to be in regular prisons when there are no obstacles to them being with us?" he stated. "We look after their needs, and the children's best interests must always come first." He noted that while the facility is primarily for those under 18, some 18-year-olds have been placed there based on individual assessments for specific reasons, though they may eventually need to move.

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But we will make individual assessments and look at the individual's needs also in that process, for example, taking into account if the person is in the middle of studies, or under clinical treatment by psychologists that must be completed first.

The Kumla facility has prepared four units, each with eight rooms, ensuring that each child has their own private space. Mwepu anticipates that the facility will gradually fill up, with all 32 spots potentially occupied within one to two years as courts sentence more young offenders under the new legislation. The system is designed to transition inmates out when they turn 18, though individual needs, such as ongoing studies or psychological treatment, will be considered.

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It will take time before minors sentenced under the new legislation, which took effect on July 1, come to us. We believe, however, that all 32 places will be fully occupied within one or two years.