SHARE
COPY LINK

PRISON

Minister proposes ankle bracelets for young criminals

Sweden’s justice minister says she’s open to monitoring young offenders with ankle bracelets rather than keeping them locked up.

Minister proposes ankle bracelets for young criminals

Using the bracelets, according to Beatrice Ask, would allow young people to attend school or go to work while they complete their sentences, rather than remain in prison.

During evenings, weekends, and overnight, those outfitted with ankle bracelets wouldn’t be allowed to leave their homes.

“Otherwise, they could just continue keeping bad company with others who have committed crimes. If someone can’t handle the ankle bracelet the alternative is a closed institution for cases involving especially violent crime,” Ask said to the Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) newspaper.

Currently, adults who receive sentences of six months or less can petition to serve their sentences at home, where they are monitored with the aid of an ankle bracelet.

But Ask’s suggestion was met by disapproval from the opposition.

“Beatrice Ask needs to see that ankle bracelets are an alternative to prison and we shouldn’t put children in prison. All the studies show that it’s dangerous,” said former Social Democratic justice minister Thomas Bodström, who currently heads the Riksdag’s justice committee.

The most common penalties for young people between the ages of 15- and 20-years-olds who have committed crimes are fines and community service.

However, probation, prison, and juvenile detention are also among the potential punishments for young criminals.

The issue will be further examined as a part of a review of Sweden’s system of sentencing and punishment, upon which the government is set to decide on Thursday, according to SvD.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

PUNISHMENT

Norwegian prime minister fined for Covid-19 rules breach

Erna Solberg has been fined 20,000 kroner for her role in planning a dinner party at a restaurant in Geilo, southern Norway, in February.

Norwegian prime minister fined for Covid-19 rules breach
Instagram erna_solberg

The South East police district has finished its investigation into the episode and concluded that there was a breach of national infection control rules.

The Prime Minister broke infection control measures when 13 family members were gathered at the restaurant in Geilo, a popular skiing destination. At the time, only 10 people could gather in such settings.

“I take note of the police decision. I have previously said that if the restaurant visit is followed up with fines, then we will of course make up for it. I apologise for what happened and will pay the fine,” Solberg said in a statement .

Despite not being present at the meal, due to having an eye checkup in Oslo, Solberg is considered to be one of the event’s organisers as she participated in the decision to host the dinner and was involved in choosing a restaurant.

Despite police saying his role would also fall under that of an organiser, the prime minister’s husband, Sindre Finnes, will not be fined.

“The practical arrangements were made by Solberg’s husband, but Solberg was involved in the decision to eat out,” police chief Ole B. Sæverud said at a press conference.

The police said that such a case would not normally lead to punishment, unless special considerations dictate it.

They believe that this case meets the special considerations criteria as finding Solberg guilty without any punishment could have a negative impact on the population’s compliance with coronavirus restrictions.

“Even though the law is equal for everyone, not everyone is equal. Solberg is the country’s foremost elected official and has on a number of occasions fronted the government’s decisions on measures to counter the pandemic. It is therefore considered appropriate to react with punishment, in order to maintain the public’s trust in the infection control rules,” Sæverud said.

READ ALSO: 

The restaurant Solberg’s family ate at, Hallingstuene, will not receive a fine.

“If we had come across the incident while it was taking place, we would have clarified the regulations and, if necessary, given orders to end the event. A punitive response would only be considered if the event was carried out in a clearly contagious manner, or there was a case of repeated violation,” said Sæverud.

The prime minister’s family met twice over a weekend in late February as part of her 60th birthday celebrations in Geilo. On the Saturday there were more than 10 people present at an apartment they had rented. However, as the regulations were unclear at the time police said that this was not a criminal violation.

Solberg apologised for the breach when it was first reported in March.

“I, who every single day stand and speak about infection control to the Norwegian people, should have known the rules better. But the truth is that I have not checked the rules well enough, and thus not realiisd that when a family goes out together and there are more than ten persons, it is actually an event,” she said at the time.  

SHOW COMMENTS