France, March 22 -- The minority right-wing government, which is backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats, announced in January that it would reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for crimes punishable by at least four years in prison.

Its goal is to break a surge in children being recruited by criminal networks as hitmen to carry out bombings and shootings, knowing they would not face prison time if caught.

Until now, minors who committed serious offences were placed in secure youth care homes (SiS-hem), but these homes have faced problems, including reports of them becoming recruitment grounds for gangs.

The legislation still needs to pass parliament, but Rosersberg is one of eight prisons preparing to house young o...