Den allmänna repressionsnivån och brottens relativa allvar

Abstract

Abstract A recently proposed overhaul of Swedish criminal law is characte rized by calls for punitive reforms. The government cites changes in the perception of the severity of different crimes, the appropriate general level of repression, the balance between the interests of the penal system, and the function of punishment, as reasons for a more repressive criminal law. Yet the general level of repression and the impact of previous repressive measures in Sweden are relatively unknown. This article demonstrates what a more repressive criminal law would mean by providing an overview of punitive reforms proposed in Sweden between 2010 and 2023. Over 150 enacted punitive changes are identified, 81 of which were presented by the Ministry of Justice in connection to the judicial system. About 40 % of the total changes relate to the assessment of the seriousness of different crimes. This highlights the impact of the cited perceptions on the general level of repression and provides an empirical foundation for the discussion on punitiveness in Sweden.

Keywords

• punitiveness
• increases in punishmenty severity
• penalty value
• crime policy
• bestraffning
• skärpta straffskärpa
• straffvärde
• brottspolitik