Youth Justice in Sweden (From Youth Crime and Youth Justice: Comparative and Cross-National Perspectives, P 391-441, 2004, Michael Tonry and Anthony N. Doob, eds. - See NCJ-241487)

• NCJ Number: 241494
• Author(s): Carl-Gunnar Janson
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 51 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses youth justice in Sweden.

Abstract

The age of criminal responsibility in Sweden is 15. Offenders under age 20 are dealt with in regular criminal courts. Some special policies apply to young defendants, including waivers of prosecution, restrictions on prison sentences, and handing over offenders to the local social welfare committee. Social welfare committees are responsible for offenders under age 15. Compulsory reformatory treatment can be used with permission from the country administrative board. The welfare committee has jurisdiction over nonoffending problem behaviors between ages 15 and 20, and over offenders of those ages referred to it by the court. Fifteen is the age of responsibility, and social welfare committees aim to save underage offenders from harmful prison experiences. The youth justice system has largely succeeded in keeping juveniles out of court and practically all out of prison. Delinquency increased in the 30-year period beginning in the mid-1950s. This increase, and later increases in violence, result from factors outside the youth justice system. Since 1990, rates have declined or stabilized. (Published Abstract)