Helsinki prison guard sees no fear in summer job

Finland’s Criminal Sanctions Agency (Rise) now describes the security situation in prisons as largely stable, despite ongoing challenges, according to a mid-summer update. In January, the agency had warned that conditions were unsafe for both staff and inmates.

Official figures show 60 incidents of violence against prison staff in 2025, up from 35 the previous year. Contributing factors include overcrowding, the growing number of inmates linked to organised crime, and substance abuse or mental health issues among prisoners. Helsinki Prison, known as Sörkka, has two dedicated substance abuse units.

Joonatan Asovaara, a 21-year-old summer guard at Sörkka, has worked there for nearly three months and does not find the job frightening. He praises the workplace community and describes himself as sociable—a trait he considers valuable in the role. Asovaara, who has a background in security work and a physique built through American football, sees communication, alertness, and interaction as key. He believes fear has no place in the job, nor does hesitation to intervene in difficult situations.

Though he does not view prison work as a lifelong calling, Asovaara, the son of a firefighter, plans to pursue a career in the police or border guard after a few years. Rise notes that many guards are currently on fixed-term contracts, which allow up to two years of work without full certification. Training standards are set by individual units.

Peter Liski, a lecturer at the Police University College specialising in communication and negotiation, says the threat of violence is inherent in security work. He argues the field attracts people who are less prone to fear, though he stresses that most inmates simply want to serve their sentences and avoid prolonging their stay. Good interpersonal skills can defuse risks, he adds, though physical force remains a last resort when dialogue fails.