Number of prisoners raises in Finland in 2023

The average number of prisoners was 3 143 in Finland in 2023, which was 3 056 in the previous year, said Prison and Probation Service of Finland in a press release on Tuesday.

Out of the total prisoners, 18 percent were foreigners, the share of women was 8.1 per cent and the share of under 21-year-olds was 3.5 per cent.

On an average, prison sentences were short; over half of the sentenced prisoners served a maximum of six months of their sentence in prison.

In 2023, the average number of probation clients serving community sanctions was 3 785 and the number was 3 502 in 2022.

On average, 12 per cent of the probation clients were under 21 years old, 12 per cent were women and about 8 per cent were foreign nationals.

The Prison and Probation Service aims to decrease the number of prisoners released straight from closed prisons and increase the number of prisoners placed in open prisons and probationary liberty under supervision.

In 2023, the promotion of gradual release did not fully meet the set goal.

The recidivism rates of prisoners and community service clients have not changed significantly.

In closed prisons and the probation offices within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, the level of safety and security declined in 2023. This was indicated by, among others, the number of reported threatening situations and imposed disciplinary punishments. The main factors endangering safety and security are the prison overcrowding, the increased number of street gang members and the low number of human resources. However, the level of safety and security varies greatly between units.

In 2023, the staff of the Prison and Probation Service was 2 555 person-years, and the net costs were EUR 267.8 million.