NCJ Number
138953
Journal
EuroCriminology Volume: 3 Dated: (1990) Pages: 200-207
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Focus in this presentation is on the intent and operation of Finnish open institutions that were established as permanent institutions in 1975.
Abstract
A prisoner moves freely around the prison grounds of an open institution but is transferred to a closed institution following attempts to leave the grounds. Either a prison sentence not to exceed 2 years or a conversion sentence can by decision of the Ministry of Justice be served in an open institution. The basis for the decision is the prisoner's physical condition, age, and ability to work, provided the prisoner can be considered adaptable to the institutional conditions and no reason exists to indicate that the prisoner will leave the institution without permission. The law contains only one general provision concerning open institutions: the freedom of an inmate in an open institution shall be restricted only to the extent necessary to maintain order and work discipline. No research shows the rehabilitation effects of the open institution system to be better or worse (smaller or bigger risk of recidivism) than those of the traditional prison system.