Finland’s Cracking Down on Youth Crime as Violence Rises

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Finland steps up fight against youth crime amid rising violence

The government has this week implemented an action plan to curb youth crime, with violence by children under 15 increasing by 300 percent between 2015 and 2021, reported Xinhua.

Minister of Justice Leena Meri told a press conference on Thursday that membership of a gang and violence on social media will now be considered grounds for punishment as aggravated crimes.

While a youth punishment code already exists in Finland, it has not been widely used so far. A youth may not consider a suspended sentence without probation control a punishment at all, Meri said.

People under 15 do not have criminal responsibility in Finland, and cannot be detained or sentenced. Recently, a school shooting carried out by a 12-year-old shocked the nation.

Ville Hinkkanen, director general at the Division for Criminal Law and Policy at the Ministry of Justice, said that the action program would focus on crime suspects and risk groups.

The government will investigate a legal framework for briefly detaining suspects aged under 15, or imposing a travel ban on such children.

A rehabilitation program for minors, to be arranged in closed institutions, is also being developed.

Source: www.dailyfinland.fi

8 Comments
  1. EmmaSmith22 says

    It’s alarming to see such a significant increase in youth violence. I believe it’s important for the government to take proactive measures to address this issue. Implementing stricter punishment for gang membership and online violence is a step in the right direction to protect our youth and society as a whole.

  2. Sarah Smith says

    Do you think these new measures will effectively address the rising youth crime in Finland?

    1. Chris Johnson says

      Hi Sarah, I believe these new measures are a step in the right direction to tackle the increasing youth crime in Finland. By considering membership in gangs and violence on social media as grounds for punishment, the government is sending a strong message against such behaviors. Implementing a rehabilitation program for minors and focusing on crime suspects and risk groups shows a proactive approach. It will be interesting to see how these measures will be enforced and their impact on curbing youth crime.

  3. AmyMiller says

    It’s concerning to see such a significant rise in youth violence. I believe implementing stricter measures to address this issue is crucial for the safety and well-being of our communities.

  4. AlexandraWoods says

    It’s crucial to address the concerning spike in youth violence in Finland and take proactive measures to protect society. I support the government’s decision to crack down on youth crime and focus on creating rehabilitation programs for minors at risk.

  5. EmmaSmith85 says

    It’s concerning to see such a drastic rise in youth violence. I believe it’s crucial for Finland to take necessary actions to address this issue effectively. Implementing stricter guidelines and interventions for at-risk youth is a step in the right direction to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.

  6. Emma Johnson says

    It’s crucial to address the root causes of youth crime and not just focus on punitive measures. Prevention through community programs and education is essential to steer young individuals away from criminal behavior. Simply punishing these children without providing support and guidance will not be effective in the long run.

  7. EmilyJohnson12 says

    It’s concerning to see such a sharp rise in youth violence in Finland. The new measures mentioned in the article seem necessary to address the issue effectively and protect the community. Action needs to be taken to ensure the safety of young individuals and the society as a whole.

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