NCJ Number
11469
Journal
Howard Journal of Penology and Crime Prevention Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (1973) Pages: 317-330
Date Published
1973
Length
14 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF PRISONS IN FINLAND, EMPHASIZING THE OPEN SECTOR OF THE PENAL SYSTEM.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH 90 PERCENT OF THE PRISONERS IN FINLAND ARE INCARCERATED IN TRADITIONAL CLOSED INSTITUTIONS, THE REMAINDER ENJOY CONSIDERABLE FREEDOM IN THREE TYPES OF OPEN PRISONS - WORK CAMPS, PRISON COLONIES, AND LABOR COLONIES. WORK CAMPS EASE REENTRY TO THE OUTSIDE BY PROVIDING WORK AND LODGING FOR HOMELESS, JOBLESS EX-PRISONERS. PRISON COLONIES ARE PART OF THE ACTUAL PENAL SYSTEM. PERSONS SERVING LONG SENTENCES ENTER THESE INSTITUTIONS FOR THE FINAL SIX MONTHS OF THEIR TERM, AND ARE TRAINED AND EMPLOYED AT TRADE UNION WAGE RATES. ALTHOUGH THE PRISONERS ARE SUBJECTED TO PERIODIC HEAD COUNTS AND LOCKED QUARTERS AT NIGHT, ESCAPE WOULD BE A SIMPLE MATTER AT ANY TIME. FIRST OFFENDERS AND A CERTAIN GROUP OF RECIDIVISTS ARE ASSIGNED TO LABOR COLONIES WHERE 'NORMALIZATION' OF LIFE IS EMPHASIZED. THE ATMOSPHERE IS FREE, AND PRISONERS WORK FOR STANDARD WAGES. THE AUTHOR PRESENTS DATA ON PRISONERS IN LABOR COLONIES, AND CONCLUDES THAT THESE OPEN INSTITUTIONS OFFER HUMANE AND PRODUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO CLOSED INSTITUTIONS, WHOSE HARMFUL EFFECTS ARE WELL KNOWN.