The Swedish government has withdrawn its controversial proposal to allow 13-year-olds to be sentenced to prison. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer announced the reversal following a hastily arranged press conference. The proposal, which aimed to increase penalties for young offenders, faced significant opposition and was unlikely to pass a vote in the Riksdag, Sweden’s parliament. Sources suggest the government assessed the lack of sufficient support from other parties. The initial plan sparked widespread debate regarding the age of criminal responsibility and the effectiveness of punitive measures for juveniles. The government has not yet indicated whether it will pursue alternative approaches to juvenile crime. This decision marks a significant shift in the government’s stance on addressing youth delinquency.