Kumlaanstalten is preparing a children's ward for convicted youth from the age of 14

Kumlaanstalten is one of eight prisons that have been equipped with children's wards to receive young people from the age of 14, following the change in the law where prison replaces closed youth care. So far, no children have been sentenced under the new legislation, and two more institutions with children's sections are ready.

Children who were sentenced to closed youth care before the change in the law are not moved to the prisons' children's wards. However, two 17-year-olds who were already sentenced to prison terms have been moved to Kumlaanstalten's new department and are attending school there. They follow a school schedule where one student takes high school courses and the other takes elementary school courses.

- Other than that, no children have come to us. Criminal legislation must not be retroactive, so the full-scale activities for the new target group have not started yet, says rector Åke Svensson.

In the past, the Correctional Service has only conducted adult education and lacked the school forms elementary school, upper secondary school and adapted school. As the school activities for children are completely new, the 13 employed teachers are now building up the teaching material that will form the basis of the education. At the same time, the teachers support adult education.

- We haven't filled all the positions, but most are up and running. The day a child arrives, we must be able to give them the education they are entitled to, says Åke Svensson.

- I have been working on this assignment for three years and feel that we have been able to prepare well. We've visited Sis units and embraced what they do well.

In practice, the teaching will look the same as in a school outside the institution, with 23 guaranteed teaching hours a week. The inmates must attend small classes with people from the same department, and all teachers are qualified. However, some elements of the syllabus cannot be implemented.

- We will not offer swimming, as there are no swimming pools in institutions and we cannot go to an external bathhouse.

There will be no longer breaks for children serving prison sentences. The proposal in the new regulation is that the academic year should extend from July 1 to June 30, with reference to the Prison Act's employment obligation. For children covered by compulsory schooling, employment means participating in teaching.

- It is so that we can give them as much schooling as possible during the short time they are with us, explains Åke Svensson.

The children have often been away from school for a long time and have a lot to catch up on. According to the principal, school activities therefore need to work to motivate students.

- It's about being persistent, building relationships and creating security. If they feel safe and trusted, they also come to school.

He adds:

- It can be quite a scattered group because the students study different courses and are at different levels. It will be the biggest challenge for my teachers.