Country

Finland

Detention issue

Sanitary conditions

FRA research findings

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Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
Imprisonment Act (Vankeuslaki/Fängelselag)A prisoner must have access to a toilet at all hours of the day. Toilets are ordinarily located in cells in which prisoners live in closed prison. They are not counted in the minimum cell space. Prisoners shall be provided with appropriate accommodation and washing facilities. According to a regulation of the Criminal Sanctions Agency, prisoners shall be provided with an opportunity to wash on a daily basis. Sanitary facilities shall include shampoo, soap and skin disinfectans.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report
2016Concerning police custody the NPM recommended that the police prisons should pay particular attention to female remand prisoners’ need to maintain their personal hygiene and provide them with an opportunity to shower more frequently. The NPM emphasised that prisoners’ toilet use should not be monitored by a camera even if the preconditions for camera monitoring are otherwise fulfilled. Isolation under observation is an exception to the rule, but even in such cases arrangement should be made to ensure at least limited privacy. Monitoring can take place, for example, through tinted glass or plexiglass that obscures visibility. Concerning prisons the NPM noted that all female prisoners did not have the opportunity to have a sauna (Oulu). Prisoners placed in the isolation unit did not have the opportunity to shower daily (Pelso). Report details
2018The Deputy-Ombudsman found the practice that prisoners had to use the toilets in the presence of other prisoners to be degrading of their human dignity. The practice is also a serious violation of the prisoners’ right to privacy. In addition to the prisoner using the toilet, the practice is demeaning for the other prisoners in the cell, taking into account the cramped conditions and poor ventilation. The screen envisioned in the Criminal Sanctions Agency’s statement does not change these circumstances. The Deputy-Ombudsman found no cause to doubt the guards’ account of prisoners being permitted to use the toilet in private upon request. However, a situation, in which the prisoners are not aware of this possibility is equivalent to a situation, in which the possibility does not exist. The opportunity must be communicated clearly enough and also with due consideration of prisoners who do not speak and/or understand Finnish. Report details
2020The NPM report mentions the use of surveillance cameras in cells. According to the report, it is not acceptable to be able to see the prisoner using the toilet even in those situations where camera surveillance is allowed. Arrangement must be made to provide prisoners some privacy. Report details