Number of prisoners and probation clients increased in 2023

In 2023, the key per­for­mance tar­gets of the Prison and Pro­ba­tion Ser­vice were ad­vanced and the core du­ties were well main­tained, even though the num­ber of pris­on­ers and pro­ba­tion clients in­creased and the re­sources were tight. Co­op­er­a­tion with, among oth­ers, the well­be­ing ser­vices coun­ties and the crim­i­nal in­ves­ti­ga­tion au­thor­i­ties is im­por­tant to achieve the set goals.

The Government Programme of Prime Minister Orpo (2023-2027) contains several entries regarding criminal policy and legislation that will affect the organisation of the activities of the Prison and Probation Service, the number of clients and the need for resources. The work to carry out the Government Programme has been started.

The second part of the organisation reform of the Prison and Probation Service was launched in November 2023. This part of the organisation reform focuses on the need to reform the organisation and management of the Prison and Probation Centres and the education and training system of the prison and probation services. The goal of the reform is that the organisation structure, management and guidance will better support the tasks and strategy of the Prison and Probation Service and improve the coherence and consistency of the work.

Number of probation clients and prisoners increased

In 2023, the average number of probation clients serving community sanctions was 3 785 (2022: 3 502). On average, 12 per cent of the probation clients were under 21 years old, 12 per cent were women and about 8 per cent were foreign nationals.

In 2023, the average number of prisoners was 3 143 (2022: 3 056). The share of foreign prisoners of all prisoners was 18 per cent, the share of women was 8.1 per cent and the share of under 21-year-olds was 3.5 per cent. On average, prison sentences were short; over half of the sentenced prisoners served a maximum of six months of their sentence in prison.

The Prison and Probation Service aims to decrease the number of prisoners released straight from closed prisons and increase the number of prisoners placed in open prisons and probationary liberty under supervision. In 2023, the promotion of gradual release did not fully meet the set goal.

The recidivism rates of prisoners and community service clients have not changed significantly.

Safety and security require special attention

In closed prisons and the probation offices within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, the level of safety and security declined in 2023. This was indicated by, among others, the number of reported threatening situations and imposed disciplinary punishments. The main factors endangering safety and security are the prison overcrowding, the increased number of street gang members and the low number of human resources. However, the level of safety and security varies greatly between units.

In 2023, the staff of the Prison and Probation Service was 2 555 person-years, and the net costs were EUR 267.8 million.

The financial accounts and annual report of the Prison and Probation Service 2023 (in Finnish)

Further information:

Director General Anna Arola-Järvi, tel. +358 29 568 8500 (exchange), anna.arola-jarvi@om.fi