Country

Finland

Detention issue

Women in detention

FRA research findings

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Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
Non-Discrimination Act (yhdenvertaisuuslaki/diskrimineringslag)Based on requirements laid down in the Non-Discrimination Act, the Criminal Sanctions Agency has adopted an equality plan that introduces measures that adress the special needs of female prisoners (physical, social, psychological), prevention of sexual harassment and elimination of gender discrimination.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report
2017The Deputy-Ombudsman stated that the Remand Imprisonment Act requires that remand prisoners are treated with dignity. Staying confined in a small space for nearly 24 hours a day together with another person does not meet the criteria of dignified treatment. The appropriate treatment in prison also includes the right to use the toilet in privacy. The Deputy-Ombudsman recommended that the toilet be separated from the rest of the room by a door or a screen. In the view of the Deputy-Ombudsman, the cells reserved for female remand prisoners should be used for single occupancy only. Report details
2018However, separating remand prisoners from other prisoners is a principle clearly prescribed by national legislation and international recommendations, which is based on the presumption of innocence. The Deputy-Ombudsman noted that the placement of remand prisoners had not been done according to the law, or even according to the prison’s own placement instructions or the unit division specified in the daily schedule. In the case of female remand prisoners, a further error had been committed in placing them in the same cells with convicted prisoners (4653/2018). Report details
2020The Ombudsman considered unacceptable that female prisoners serving sentences and remand prisoners are placed on the same ward in all of the prisons visited. Report details