Jacques Mwepu, head of Kumla prison, believes children should not be incarcerated. Despite this, he has been tasked with leading the new children's ward at the class 1 facility. He claims to be the right person for the job.
Jacques Mwepu serves as the head of Kumla prison, one of Sweden's most secure class 1 facilities. In an interview with Dagens Nyheter, he expresses a personal belief that children do not belong in prison. The article's description states: 'The Kumla chief does not think children should sit in prison.'
Despite his stance, Mwepu has been assigned to run the prison's children's ward. This is a new section intended for underage inmates. His friends have questioned how he can manage this, but Mwepu responds: 'My friends wonder how I can do this. But I am the right person.'
The assignment comes at a time when Sweden addresses the placement of young offenders in high-security environments. Mwepu's role involves leading operations in the ward, despite his ethical reservations about having children there. The article was published on March 4, 2026, and highlights the tension between personal views and professional duties within the Swedish Prison and Probation Service.
