Finland’s only women’s open prison in Hämeenlinna to absorb inmates from northern Finland amid capacity concerns

The Criminal Sanctions Agency (Rise) plans to consolidate all female inmates in Finland at Hämeenlinna’s Vanaja open prison, despite existing overcrowding, raising concerns among prison officials.

Under the proposal, the Kestilä open prison in Northern Ostrobothnia would be converted to a men-only facility, making Vanaja the sole women’s open prison in the country. Tuomo Kärjenmäki, head of the Vanaja and Ojoinen prison units, warns that current staffing and infrastructure are insufficient for the change.

“Inmates require supervision beyond the facility—during hospital visits, shopping, and other external activities,” Kärjenmäki told Yle. He added that rehabilitation efforts depend heavily on staff availability and that upgrades to security systems, such as camera surveillance, and inmate accommodations are urgently needed.

A €100,000 budget has been allocated for furniture and minor repairs, while additional space will be created by repurposing family visitation areas. Initial discussions involve transferring 25 inmates from Kestilä, with plans to expand Vanaja’s capacity by 20–25 beds.

No timeline has been set, but a move could occur no earlier than November due to logistical challenges, including summer staff shortages. “Getting everything in order will be difficult,” Kärjenmäki noted.

Vanaja currently houses 47 inmates plus a fully occupied 10-bed family unit. The shift follows broader capacity issues in Finland’s female prison system, with reports of overcrowding in other facilities.