Research: Finnish prisoners have several concurrent social and health problems such as substance abuse disorders, infectious diseases and loneliness

These findings are revealed in the new research conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, the Prison and Probation Service of Finland and the Health Care Services for Prisoners.

New research describes the health and well-being of prisoners better than before

The research looks into the health and well-being of prisoners from several aspects: the topics include, among others, prisoners’ psychotic disorders, loneliness, infectious diseases, smoking and social inclusion.
The researchers collected data on the health and well-being of nearly every fourth prisoner in Finland.

“The findings of this research provide the best present-day view of the health and well-being of prisoners. They help us understand what the Prison and Probation Service has to focus on and what kind of continuum of services is needed. The findings of the research highlight the significance of the cooperation between the Prison and Probation Service, the Health Care Services for Prisoners and the wellbeing services counties,” says Director General for the Prison and Probation Service Anna Arola-Järvi.

“The health and well-being of prisoners in Finland have not been studied this comprehensively before. Prisoners are not usually visible in traditional population studies. Our research does not focus only on the health of prisoners during the prison term – that would be an inadequate goal – but searches for ways to recognise their need for treatment before imprisonment and support the continuation of treatment and services after the prison term,” says Head of Research Mika Rautanen at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

The study utilised the health and well-being indicators commonly used in the general population surveys so that it will be possible to compare the results with other population studies. In addition to the health and well-being data, the research includes recommendations and proposals for further measures based on the research data.

The health and well-being of prisoners was last studied between 2005 and 2010.

Drug use has increased especially among young prisoners

The substance abuse problems of older prisoners are linked to alcohol in particular, whereas drug problems are more common among younger prisoners. Every other prisoner said that they had used amphetamine within one year before the prison term.

The use of cocaine has also increased. Drugs are often injected and the instruments shared; therefore, many prisoners have contagious hepatitis C.

Every third prisoner has at some point had a short-term psychosis triggered by substance use. In addition, eight per cent of prisoners has suffered from an actual psychosis disorder during their life.

Fewer and fewer prisoners think they are able to work

Nearly nine female prisoners and eight male prisoners out of ten had not been employed before imprisonment. Approximately 60 per cent of prisoners think they are able to work, whereas 15 years ago the corresponding number was about 80 per cent. Based on the research, prisoners’ declining ability to work is affected by, among other things, ADHD symptoms, psychosis, poor oral health, low resilience, poor language skills, loneliness and lack of experiences of inclusion.

“According to the assessment made by the study nurse, the reduced ability to work of every third prisoner could be restored with the help rehabilitation. The prison term is a good period to observe the unemployed prisoners’ functional ability to work and assess the hindrances of employment”, Rautanen says.

Many prisoners have experienced violence

Prisoners have experienced a wide variety of violence during their life. Nearly all prisoners have experienced physical violence and a third of the research subjects have been victims of financial violence. Every fourth prisoner reported having some symptoms of trauma.

Despite many risks and problems, prisoners are often cautiously realistic and optimistic about their future. Many of them hope for a future without substances and violence and do not believe that they will get caught in the prison cycle.

Preventing social exclusion and recidivism increase safety in society

During the prison term, it is possible to reach those who use the social and health care services the most but who the services provided by the wellbeing services counties cannot really help. According to the research, the motivation of prisoners to take care of their health is high: on a scale of zero to ten, they rate it nine.

“There is definitely a need for the versatile services offered in prison. Accommodation for released prisoners, an assessment of their ability to work, treatment for hepatitis C and peers to help with loneliness can help prisoners to recover even from a substance abuse disorder. When there are lots of problems, success in one thing can be enough to create a sensation of restoration, which maintains their motivation to take care of their health even after release,” says Rautanen.

“If a massive need of services can be changed to a moderate need, it gives the society an opportunity to save from future social welfare and health care costs,” Rautanen continues.

In addition to developing the services provided in prison, it is extremely important to prevent social exclusion and recidivism in advance.

“Besides the services offered in prison, there is a need for all preventive social help, such as support offered by child health clinics and schools for families struggling with ADHD and behavioral problems. At best, preventing social exclusion and crime increases the well-being and safety of our whole society,” Rautanen sums up.

Further information

Mika Rautanen
Head of Research
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare / Health Care Services for Prisoners
[email protected]
+358 29 524 5766

Jussi Korkeamäki
Director
Health Care Services for Prisoners
[email protected]
+358 29 524 5723