Johan Thyrén

Johan Thyrén (1861–1933) was a Swedish academic and jurist who was influential in reforming the penal law of Sweden. He served as the vice chancellor of Lund University between 1916 and 1926 and the minister of justice between 1926 and 1928.

Early life and education Thyrén was born on 6 April 1861. and was the professor of criminal law. One of his pupils was Östen Undén. His term ended in 1928. From 1932 to 1936 he collaborated with his cousin and minister of justice Karl Schlyter to develop a reform program.

For Thyrén both punishment and preventive-protective approaches towards the criminal law should be modified, but the latter should be basis of the law. He argued that a new type of protective measure for criminals such as juvenile delinquents, chronic criminals, and alcoholics should be developed. He was instrumental in the termination of the death penalty in 1921 and also, presented the idea of the day-fines system punishing rich and poor equally.

He died on 4 May 1933.