The Finnish Culture of Correction

1. The Finnish Culture of Correction Kris Clarke, Ph.D California State University, Fresno/Social Work Education

2. Finland: population and tradition • Population: 5.2 million (less than 3% of foreign background) , largely Lutheran faith • Social democracy • Not wide societal inequalities • Relatively high standard of living • Universal social and health care services

3. The Finnish Welfare State • Based on the notion that citizens are not solely autonomous individuals, but members of the national community. • Values of the welfare state: solidarity, inclusion, and the common good. • Nordic welfare state: cultural constructions of social and community values as well as the policies and practices to define and implement them • A social compromise among groups competing for position and resources:a ‘people’s home’ for all citizens.

4. Sentencing reform • From 1889 to 1960s, Finnish sentencing laws and penal code were virtually unchanged and highly punitive. (Houseman ) • In 1972, complete reform of the penal code and sentencing. Focus on rehabilitation, proportionality and predictability. • Ultimate aim: prevention rather than deterrence. • Changes resulted in a 40% reduction in incarceration rates, though crime rates have been relatively steady. • 1992 study showed that half of prisoners were recidivists, but majority of those in prison for the first time did not return (Finnish Criminal Sanctions Agency).

5. Sentencing (2006 statistics) • Fines: approximately half of all penalties (based on the daily wage of offender) • Conditional imprisonment: nearly one-quarter (usually served by probation, revoked if individual re-offends) • Community service: 5% (offender must be motivated, give consent, and assessed as suitable) • Unconditional imprisonment: 12% (must serve in prison)

6. Some principles of incarceration • Normalization: prisoners are deprived of liberty but not loss of civil liberties (right to vote), reading materials, punitive diets, etc. • Openness: opportunities for visits, (sometimes) for women to have young children with them, to study, etc.

7. Youth • There is no separate juvenile justice system • Youth under the age of 15 cannot be held criminally responsible: they fall under the supervision of the social and health care system • Offenders between 17-21 years often receive parole and are placed under the supervision of the probation service • The social welfare system is seen as having better skills to provide rehabilitation to youth than the criminal justice system • Conditional Sentencing Act (1989): conditional sentences are for youth only in extraordinary circumstances • Rates of youth incarceration were ten times lower in the 1990s than 1960s

8. Mediation • Became prominent as a restorative justice measure in the 1980s • Not formally integrated into criminal justice system: is only used if all parties agree • In violent crime cases, mediation does not affect sentencing

9. Role of social work • Social work is important in the criminal justice system • Prisons have psychologists, social workers, family social workers, and study advisors on staff • Social work also plays a prominent role with youth and in aftercare plans for those released • Goal of correctional system is prevention and support

10. Challenges • Little research on how the children of the incarcerated are faring • Increasing numbers of immigrants/foreigners in prison: how to meet their needs • Retrenchment of the welfare state has brought cuts to mental health services: what is the impact on prevention?