The investigation is part of the government's criminal policy, which calls for children who commit serious crimes to be sentenced to prison. The government also wants to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 13 years - a proposal that has drawn massive criticism.
Although the changes have not yet been politically decided, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service is preparing for schooling for children from July 1 next year.
Prison schools should in principle provide the same education as regular schools. But one of the central questions is whether the Swedish Prison and Probation Service should be allowed to provide distance and remote education, more than in exceptional cases, meaning that students are in prison and have digital contact with the teacher outside the walls. The pandemic showed that face-to-face education is the best, but hybrid solutions may be necessary to make education available everywhere, according to the government.
One quarter
The investigator's proposal is that distance learning should be used to a "limited extent", a maximum of 25 percent of the total teaching time.
According to the proposal, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service will also be able to have a teacher who is not qualified in the subject in question teach, if it is not possible to use a qualified teacher. The justification for this is that certain subjects have few hours and that the students sentenced to prison are spread across the country.
Neither distance learning nor unauthorized teachers may be used in Swedish, English, mathematics and social studies.
Limited selection
Students in prison should receive instruction in all subjects. But some exceptions are necessary, according to the investigation. These include, for example, certain elements of crafts, chemistry, and home and consumer knowledge, because "tools, chemicals, or kitchen equipment can pose a risk of violence or self-harm."
The investigator further notes that young people of high school age cannot expect to have their wishes for programs fulfilled. "The prison environment means limitations in what can be offered," the memorandum states. The Swedish Prison and Probation Service should decide which programs should be offered.
When it comes to children and young people who are in custody, their right to education needs to be strengthened, the investigator writes and suggests that an investigation be conducted into how the Swedish Prison and Probation Service can be given clear responsibility for this.
The memorandum is now open for consultation until February 13.
