News of the week in plain Finnish | Saturday 19.9.2026

Finnish prisons are overcrowded.

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This week there has been news about Finnish prisons.

The prisons are full. The number of foreign prisoners has increased.

Now let’s talk more about prisons.

The number of foreign prisoners has increased

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Finnish prisons are now overcrowded. There are already more prisoners than places. There are approximately 3,900 prisoners in prisons.

Of these, approximately 950 are foreign citizens. The number of foreigners has increased by 76 percent in 10 years.

Foreigners are particularly likely to commit drug crimes, sexual crimes, and homicides.

In 2028, the total number of prisoners could reach 4,000.

The number of prisoners is increasing because the laws have changed. The punishments are stricter than before.

Sentences have become longer, more crimes are being committed, and the police have more opportunities to investigate crimes.

New prisons

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From left, Antti Leinonen, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice, Minister of Justice Leena Meri and Anna Arola-Järvi, Director General of the Criminal Sanctions Agency, at a press conference on September 17, 2026. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva

Minister of Justice Leena Meri says that 500 new prison places will be created in Finland.

They will be placed in Helsinki, Hämeenlinna and Kylmäkoski. Later, Turku Prison will also receive more places.

The Ministry of Justice is investigating whether Finland can rent prison places from abroad.

An example is the agreement between Sweden and Estonia. The countries agreed that Sweden can send prisoners to Estonia. Swedish prisons are also full.

Helsingin Sanomat reports that the first prisoners were transferred to Estonia in August.

However, Estonia rejected half of the Swedish prisoners. For example, the prisoners had connections to organized crime. This means that several people commit crimes together.

Finland is also following the agreement between Denmark and Kosovo on prisoners.

Renting prison places from abroad

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Renting out prison places is not currently possible because Finnish law prohibits it. Therefore, the matter is being investigated further.

Finland does not yet have negotiations with any country.

Finland also transfers foreign prisoners to their home countries. Finland can also deport a foreigner who has committed a serious crime.

Now we are investigating how to transfer a foreign prisoner from Finland as quickly as possible.

Repetition

Let’s say it again.

Finnish prisons are overcrowded.

The number of foreign prisoners has increased by 76 percent in 10 years.

Finland is investigating whether prison places can be rented from abroad.

Here was the News of the Week in plain Finnish. See you again, bye!