Finnish Prison System: A Comprehensive Overview

Administration and Statistics

The Finnish prison system is overseen by the National Prison Administration, which falls under the Ministry of Justice.

Key Statistics

• Number of Prison Beds: 4,210
• Annual Admissions (1991): 8,874 persons entered prison
• Daily Population (end of 1991): 3,067 male prisoners and 108 female prisoners over 20 years old

Administration

The Finnish prison system employs a total of 2,608 staff members as of 1990.

Training and Qualifications

Prison guards undergo training provided by the Prison Training Service, which includes a basic course lasting 13 months.

Expenditure on Prison System

In 1990, the budget for the prison administration department was 533 million Finnmarks.

Prison Conditions

Prisoners in Finland are granted automatic parole after serving two-thirds of their sentence, provided they participate in work or education programs instead.

Remissions and Privileges

• Remissions: Prisoners are normally granted automatic parole after serving two-thirds of their sentence.
• Work/Education: Prisoners are required to work or study instead.
• Amenities/Privileges: Life in prison is arranged to resemble life in free society as much as possible.

Extradition and Treaties

Finland has extradition agreements with various countries, including the Nordic countries, former USSR, Poland, Hungary, and Council of Europe.

Refusal of Extradition

Finland refuses to extradite a Finnish national or a person suspected of a military or political offense, unless it involves homicide or attempted homicide.

Sources

The report cites several sources:

• Aromaa, Kauko and Heiskanen, Markku (1992): Piilorikollisuus 1988 (Hidden Crime 1988)
• Central Statistical Office of Finland (annual publication)
• Joutsen, Matti (1990): The Criminal Justice System of Finland
• National Research Institute of Legal Policy (annual publication)