Finland to build secure juvenile detention facility in Liminka

Finland will establish a secure, prison-like juvenile detention facility in Liminka, Northern Ostrobothnia, according to public broadcaster Yle. The unit, designed for minors convicted of serious violent crimes, is expected to open in 2027 with capacity for around 20 residents.

The facility will be built adjacent to an existing state-run residential school in Liminka, with plans to renovate current buildings and add perimeter fencing. Unlike Finland’s current child welfare system, the new unit will impose stricter restrictions on movement and communication, exceeding those in existing high-security care units (Eho), where stays are currently limited to 90 days.

Parliament must still approve legislative changes to enable the facility’s operation. The proposal is under review by the Social Affairs and Health Committee. If passed, minors convicted of severe violence could be placed in the unit for indefinite periods—a measure intended to address rising youth violent crime, including recent high-profile cases reported by Helsinki police.

Finland currently operates five state residential schools for minors deemed dangerous to themselves or others, often due to repeated criminal behavior. The new Liminka facility represents an unprecedented level of restriction within the child welfare system.