Training Institute for Prison and Probation Service

The Training Institute for Prison and Probation Service trains about 120 new prison officers every year. There are two application periods for the qualification in prison and probation services annually and, hence, two groups of new prison officer students start the studies every year.

In addition to the degree programme, the Training Institute keeps the skills of the prison and probation staff updated by arranging in-service training. Some training is carried out in cooperation with external partners. The themes of the in-service training consist of management and work community skills, individual work with prisoners and clients, programmes, safety and security, and policies and planning.

The Training Institute has about 25 staff members most of whom are teachers. The staff also take part in the organisation and teaching of higher education in the field of prison and probation services in cooperation with, for example, Laurea University of applied Sciences.

The Training Institute has classrooms and other group facilities, a training prison, a gym and sports hall, sauna facilities and accommodation for 52 students. In addition, the Training Institute has the only library in Finland that specializes in criminology, which can be used by anyone interested in the literature on prison and probation services.

Qualification in prison and probation services – prison officer

The applicants for the qualification in prison and probation services have to be adults. In addition, they must have at least an upper secondary level qualification, a category B driving licence and an aptitude for working in prison in terms of their state of health and other characteristics. The application process consists of fitness and aptitude tests. All applicants who pass the tests have to be security cleared by the Finnish Security Intelligence Service.

The qualification in prison and probation services lasts for up to 16 months, which consists of 10 months of paid on-the-job training in prison and 6 months of contact teaching mainly at the Training Institute. Some parts of the studies can also be completed remotely online and independently as individual and group assignments. The studies consist of basic, vocational and optional studies and a thesis. The vocational studies include penalties and ethics, security, safety and supervision, and influence on criminal behaviour.

When the students have contact teaching, they will get a free meal every day and students, who live a long way from the Training Institute, will also get free accommodation. The students can also use the sports and sauna facilities of the Training Institute.

Training Institute for Prison and Probation Service [pdf, 115.2 kt]

More information on the Training Institute for Prison and Probation Service (RSKK.fi)

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