Release from prison

A prisoner who has not served an imprisonment sentence within three years preceding the current offence can be released on parole when he or she has served half of the sentence. If the offence was committed when under the age of 21 years, the corresponding time is one third.

Otherwise, a prisoner sentenced to imprisonment can be released on parole when he or she has served two thirds of the sentence or half of the sentence passed for an offence committed when under the age of 21 years.

Release on parole is possible when at least 14 days of the sentence has been served.

On certain conditions, a prisoner convicted to serve the full term of the sentence can be released on parole after serving five sixths but at least three years of the sentence. Helsinki Court of Appeal decides on the release.

A fine default prisoner sentenced to a conversion sentence for unpaid fine serves the sentence in full. The length of several fine conversion sentences served simultaneously cannot exceed 90 days. The maximum length of combined prison sentences served at the same time is 20 years.

Release of life sentence prisoners

A prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment can also be released on parole. Helsinki Court of Appeal decides on the release.

Release on parole is possible when at least 12 years of the prison sentence has been served. If the offence was committed when under the age of 21 years, the corresponding time is ten years.A life sentence prisoner can also be released by the pardon of the President of the Republic of Finland.

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Probationary period and supervision

A probationary period imposed on a conditionally released prisoner, i.e. parolee, cannot exceed three years. A probationary period of a life sentence prisoner released on parole is always three years.

On average, every fifth parolee is ordered to supervision. The Criminal Sanctions Agency is responsible for the arrangement and implementation of the supervision. Supervision is ordered if the probationary period is more then one year or the offence was committed when under the age of 21 years. A prisoner himself or herself can also request supervision.

If a parolee is found guilty of new offences during the probationary period, the court decides whether the remaining sentence should be enforced fully or partially. In case of a gross violation of the obligations, the court can order 4 to 14 days of the remaining sentence to be enforced.

Supervised probationary freedom

A prisoner serving either a fixed-term or life imprisonment can be placed in probationary freedom a maximum of six months before his or her release on parole. If a prisoner sentenced to serve the full term of the sentence is not released on parole after serving five sixths of the sentence, he or she is placed in compulsory probationary freedom three months before the release.

The prisoner is presumed to comply with abstinence from substances and other conditions of the probationary freedom. Probationary freedom requires a release plan, which includes information on, e.g., the housing and livelihood of the released offender, the obligation to participate in an activity, the daily schedule and the supervision of the probationary freedom. Prisons are responsible for the supervision of probationary freedom.