Finland to have only one open prison for women by year’s end

Finland will reduce the number of open prisons for women from two to one by the end of 2024, leaving only the Vanaja facility in Hämeenlinna operational, Yle reports. Inmates at the Kestilä open prison in Siikalatva, set to close, have protested the decision, citing concerns over disrupted rehabilitation and family visits.

The Criminal Sanctions Agency (Rise) justifies the change by pointing to severe overcrowding in men’s prisons and the need for more efficient use of capacity. Riitta Kari, head of Rise’s operational division, stated that Kestilä has operated at just 60–75% capacity, while men’s facilities face critical shortages.

Inmates at Kestilä, including 31-year-old Roosa Valkonen, argue the move will hinder their reintegration. Valkonen, serving time for aggravated assault and drug offences, told Yle that adapting to a new environment, staff, and rules adds unnecessary stress. “The thought of another transfer is already overwhelming,” she said, referencing a prior move from Kuopio Prison.

The closure will also complicate family visits, particularly for inmates from northern Finland. Nearly half of Kestilä’s women come from the region, and Valkonen noted that two-hour visits may become impossible for elderly relatives. Weekend leaves, granted roughly once a month, will also involve longer, more costly travel. Some women may even lose local jobs tied to their current location.

A collective petition from Kestilä inmates, submitted to Rise, the Equality Ombudsman, and Parliament’s Ombudsman, highlights broader concerns. These include potential safety risks if incompatible inmates are housed together, as well as the disruption of trust-based relationships with social workers—a critical factor for trauma recovery, according to Jaana Juntunen, a social worker with the Auttajat Oulu association.

Finnish law and UN standards emphasize placing inmates near their homes and maintaining family ties. With only one open prison remaining for women, Rise has pledged to address the inmates’ concerns but maintains the change is necessary to alleviate systemic pressures.