NCJ Number
149483
Journal
American Jails Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: (September-October 1993) Pages: 67- 73
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes several Finnish prisons, based on direct observations made by the author.
Abstract
The Kunnunsuo Central Prison houses 180 inmates and is staffed by 100 officers, 20 work managers, two social workers, and a psychologist. There are 20 inmates studying either at the junior or senior high school level. While inmates are allowed personal coffeepots and TVs, there is also an isolation unit used for punishment. The Oulu Provincial Prison is a regional prison administered by the Ministry of Justice. It houses pretrial prisoners, convicts, and several transfer prisoners. At least 12 of the inmates were serving sentences for murder and sexual assault. Discipline seemed to be tightly maintained at this prison. This article describes conversations between the author and inmates at four other provincial prisons, in Mikkeli Province, Kuopio Province, Hameenlinna Province, and Turka Province. The least restrictive type of prison in Finland is the open prison, where the emphasis is on a relaxed, experimental approach toward inmates.