Enforcement of imprisonment

The court assesses the offence as a whole and, based on that, decides whether a sentence of imprisonment is conditionalor unconditional.

Unconditional imprisonment refers to a sentence served in prison. It may be imposed for a fixed term or for life.

A prison sentence not exceeding two years may be imposed as conditional. The court may order the enforcement of conditional imprisonment if the sentenced person commits another offence during the probationary period or violates other conditions of the sentence.

Sentence plan

A sentence plan is prepared for each prisoner in accordance with the Imprisonment Act. When an offender is sentenced to unconditional imprisonment, a probation office invites the sentenced person to an appointment.

The sentence plan is drawn up in cooperation with the sentenced person. Together with an official of the probation office, the sentenced person can discuss matters related to the content of the prison sentence, such as personal thoughts, wishes and ability to function.

The plan includes individual goals for the sentence term and the measures required to achieve them. These may relate to, for example, employment, education, substance abuse treatment or pro-criminal attitudes. The prison staff monitor the progress of the sentence plan regularly throughout the prison term.

If the sentenced person cannot be reached for an appointment, the probation office will prepare the sentence plan based on available documents. It will also be determined which prison the sentenced person must report to and when. The order to report to prison is sent by post to the sentenced person at the address listed in the Finnish Population Information System.

The choice of prison is made in accordance with the law and instructions. Factors influencing the choice include the sentenced person’s municipality of residence, activity and rehabilitation needs, and the required prison security level. If a sentenced person fails to report to the prison on the specified date, a warrant of apprehension will be issued.

In the case of remand prisoners, the Client Assessment Unit of the Prison and Probation Service usually prepared a sentence plan only after the sentence has become final and the person’s status changes from remand prisoner to sentenced prisoner. Once the plan is completed, a decision is made regarding the prisoner’s placement.

Enforcement of imprisonment in closed prisons

There are 15 closed prisons in Finland. Prisoners placed in closed prisons are under strict supervision and their freedom of movement is restricted. Prison officers supervise the operation of the prisons around the clock. There are also other security measures, such as fences, walls and cameras. Closed prisons have different kinds of accommodation wards where prisoners live in their own cells.

Although the daily routines are strictly regulated, scheduled and supervised, closed prisons offer a wide range of activities for prisoners. The daily routines consist of, among other things, mealtimes, at least one hour of outdoor exercise, and activities outlined in the prisoners’ individual sentence plans, such as work, study or rehabilitation.

Free time activities in prisons include gym training, other forms of exercise, music groups and home economics groups. All prisons also offer the possibility to borrow books and visit the prison church.
In closed prisons, prisoners are generally allowed to wear their own clothes, although prison-issued clothes are also available. The use of personal clothes may be restricted for a reason related to, among other things, prison order. During work activities, prisoners must wear clothing that complies with the regulations of the workplace. Prisons provide prisoners with work clothes, protective clothing, sheets and other bedlinen. In addition, prisons provide washing liquids to maintain normal daily hygiene.

On weekdays, prisoners are served four meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an evening snack. On days that are not actual workdays, prisoners are served breakfast, a combined lunch and dinner, and an evening snack. Exceptions to the basic diet can be made if it is justified due to prisoners’ health or religious or some other well-founded conviction. If prisons do not provide prisoners with all daily meals, prisoners receive a food allowance to purchase foodstuffs. Prisons may also arrange the catering so that the prisoners prepare their own meals either fully or partly in their accommodation unit.
Prisoners are responsible for cleaning their own cells and tidying up after themselves in the common areas, for instance, after cooking. Prison staff guide prisoners in matters related to cleaning and make sure that appropriate cleaning tools and agents are available.

Enforcement of imprisonment in open prisons

The goal of the Prison and Probation Service is that prisoners serving long sentences are gradually released so that they serve the final part of their sentence in an open prison. In this way, released prisoners are more prepared for civilian life and have a better chance of a life free of crime. Sentenced persons may be placed directly from freedom in an open prison if they have been sentenced to unconditional imprisonment for a maximum of two years. Their suitability for open prison conditions is assessed prior to placement. Prisoners placed in open prisons are required to commit to abstaining from drugs and alcohol.

There are 12 open prisons in Finland. They differ from closed prisons in that prisoners can move around more freely and their daily life is less restricted. Although prison officers supervise the facilities around the clock, open prisons do not have high walls or electric fences, and security measures are more relaxed.

Prisoners may take part in work, education or other activities outside the prison, in accordance with their individual sentence plans. However, they must return to the prison at the agreed time and they are monitored by technical means.

Prisoners wear their own clothes in open prisons. The possession of prisoners’ own clothes may, however, be denied if, for instance, the order, safety or security of the prison so requires. Prisoners participating in work activities must wear clothing in accordance with the regulations of the workplace to ensure, among other things, occupational safety. If the work requires prisoners to wear protective clothing, prisons will provide appropriate work clothes and protective clothing. Prisons also provide prisoners with bedlinen, such as sheets. In open prisons, prisoners are responsible for cleaning their accommodation rooms and the common living areas and participating in other household tasks.

Catering arrangement vary between open prisons. Meals may be served in common dining rooms or in the accommodation facilities. In some open prisons, prisoners must purchase their own foodstuffs, while in others, some or all meals are prepared by Leijona Catering. If meals are not provided by the prison, the Prison and Probation Service pays prisoners food allowance for buying foodstuffs.

Male and female prisoners serve their sentences in separate prisons or at least in separate wards. Mixed open prisons were abolished on 1 September 2021, after which women and men have been placed in separate open prisons. This will ensure a safe and rehabilitative environment for all prisoners during their prison term, regardless of gender. Women's prisons are committed to working in a way that addresses the specific characteristics and needs of female prisoners. There are separate instructions for placing sentenced persons who have undergone or are undergoing gender reassignment.

Find out more about prisons in Finland

Rehabilitation
Safety and security
Find out more about serving a prison sentence.

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