Country

Finland

Detention issue

Cell space

FRA research findings

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Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
Imprisonment Act (Vankeuslaki/Fängelselag)The national standard for minimum cell space available to prisoners in prisons is 7 m2 for a one person cell and 5,5 m2 per person in a cell shared by more prisoners.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report
2016The NPM pointed out that renovated cells intended for remand prisoners did not have proper storage facilities for property (e.g. clothes) and food, and some of the property had to be kept on the floor. There was no place for hanging up clean laundry to dry in the cell and no other place had been designated for that purpose. The NPM recommended that the police prison should consider adding storage solutions to the cells so that, for example, food items would not have to be stored on the floor. The NPM also recommended that the police prison should arrange a space for drying clothes. Report details
2018Camera surveillance should not be used in washing facilities or changing rooms, where persons deprived of their liberty may be naked. Up to six persons could be detained in one cell, where they were forced to use the toilet in full view of the others and under camera surveillance. This practice is against the right to privacy of persons deprived of their liberty. The Ombudsman found it highly problematic that the detention of persons deprived of their liberty at Haukipudas police prison had been organised using a temporary arrangement that is, in many respects, unsatisfactory or even illegal. This situation has remained unchanged for years. The Ombudsman considered it paramount that these practical issues at the detention facilities be remedied as a matter of urgency, if the facilities are to continue to be used for detaining persons deprived of their liberty. Report details
2020On its future visits, the NPM is likely to pay more attention to ensuring that the conditions of persons deprived of their liberty meet the requirements set for living quarters better. This is indicated by the Ombudsman’s recent decision of 2 September 2020 (5680/2018*), which was based on a visit to police detention facilities (4392/2018*). Among other things, the Ombudsman stated in his decision that when a meal must according to provisions be served to the person deprived of their liberty, the conditions in the cell must be such that the person does not have to sit on the floor or stand when having the meal. According to the Ombudsman's view, this did not apply only to the detention facility examined. The Ombudsman considered it justified that the National Police Board investigate what kind of solutions other authorities have implemented in isolation facilities and, if necessary, acquire furniture centrally, or at least guide police departments in the procurement. The Ombudsman understood that police departments have not in all respects been able to influence the situation themselves, especially once the building of the facilities has been completed. This underlines the importance of careful planning of the facilities and also sets requirements for approving them for use. Report details