Riddled with gang activity and an influx of prisoners, Sweden is now allowing prisoners to serve their sentences abroad. Sweden has been experiencing a rise in gang violence in the past decade and now holds one of the highest gun death per capita rates in Europe. The violent acts are being attributed to young teenagers being recruited and communicated by foreign gangs online. Some measures against the violence taken are severe and dismissing basic human rights. These measures have suppressed some violence, but they have also put a strain on the prison system, creating a need for alternative options–hence sending prisoners abroad.

Explaining the gravity of the gang crime situation, Sweden’s Minister of Justice, Gunnar Strömmer, stated that “during the month of January, there has been an average of one explosion per day.” Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson remarked that “the criminal gangs are showing total indifference to the public, and that [Sweden] must fight this domestic terrorism with the collective power of society.”

Sweden’s national police chief Petra Lundh emphasizes the young age of the teens involved and their motivations, “12-, 13- and 14-year-olds carry out horrific violent assignments as if they were extra jobs. These assignments are communicated via online, and are coordinated mainly abroad.”

To curb this violence, Prime Minister Kristersson introduced stricter laws targeting gang-related crimes, including longer sentences, removing reduced sentences for multiple convictions at the same time, and the criminalization of recruiting minors into gangs. More measures include establishing designated areas to conduct stop and search without reasonable suspicion, employing the military for support, and even wiretapping children under 15. 

Some of these laws do not represent what the Prime Minister was talking about as the “collective power of society.” Searching without reasonable suspicion can lead to fear and the possibility of profiling, which could create further divide in Sweden. In addition, the military is not trained to deal with civilians like police officers. Furthermore, wiretapping would impede young teenagers of their own perceived freedom. Sweden needs to be careful to not overstep civil liberties while policing against gangs. These measures risk increasing tensions and perpetuating a cycle of violence rather than addressing its source. 

Sweden’s new strategy in sending prisoners abroad stems from the effective implantation of these laws. According to Reuters, In 2023, Swedish prison sentences increased by 25% from 2022 and doubled compared with 2014. As a result, Sweden’s jails and prisons are at capacity, and the Prison and Probation Service estimates that Sweden will need 27,000 beds by 2033–a staggering jump from the 11,000 today. The process of creating such a deal with a foreign nation is lengthy and complex questions regarding prison length, services, and the nationality of prisoners being sent abroad have to be brought up. 

Young children who are the most susceptible to being introduced or approached by a gang need to be protected. The ease in gangs recruiting young teenagers online to commit horrible acts for fast cash is disturbing. Social media plays a huge role in the introduction of crime as an opportunity for money. Limiting access and teaching kids the dangers of their actions is imperative. Having after-school programs and places where kids can play, learn, and find new hobbies may have a huge role in reducing the attraction to joining young gangs. According to the BBC, police have associated this type of gang violence with the poor integration of immigrants, inequality between the rich and poor, and drug use. The harsh and quick solutions being implemented do not address the root of the problem. Community development, economic programs, and online awareness are all essential to putting an end to gang violence that instills fear in the community, ruins kids’ lives and causes death.

These young kids need opportunities to find a place of acceptance and ways to provide for their community.  With caution, Sweden must enforce laws, increase community involvement, and create programs that disincentivize young people from joining gang activity. Otherwise, Sweden’s long image of safety and security will shatter. To achieve peace, Sweden must not rely on punitive measures; rather, it should focus on economic inequality, social integration, and online safety.