Finnish Prisoners and Guards Demand More Staff Amidst Overcrowding Crisis

Helsinki, Finland – A growing crisis is unfolding within Finland's prison system, as inmates and guards alike are raising urgent alarms about deteriorating conditions. Prisoners are demanding an increase in the number of guards and better remuneration for existing staff, citing unbearable overcrowding that compromises basic rights and hygiene.

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The prisoners are demanding more guards in prisons and better pay for them.

The concerns are not limited to the inmates. Prison officials have joined the chorus, echoing the call for more personnel and improved pay. They also seek enhanced legal protections and fair compensation for overtime work, highlighting the immense pressure and risks associated with their roles. The current situation, characterized by overpopulation, is described as unsustainable, leading to a decline in order and a rise in health issues among both prisoners and staff.

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The same demand has been made by prison officials, who also want the right to overtime work and better legal protection for themselves.

This dual outcry from both sides of the prison bars underscores the severity of the situation. Reports indicate increased stress and mental health challenges affecting both guards and inmates. The Finnish Prison Officers' Union and the prisoner advocacy group Krim-Keskusliitto ry have both submitted formal letters to the Ministry of Justice, detailing the dire circumstances and urging immediate action.

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The basis for the demands is the unbearable situation described as a result of overcrowding in prisons.

Compounding the problem is the difficulty in supervising large inmate populations, especially during nighttime hours when guard numbers are at their lowest. This scarcity of personnel increases the likelihood of conflicts among prisoners. Furthermore, officials are grappling with the challenge of preventing contraband, such as drugs, from entering the facilities, with single guards sometimes responsible for monitoring dozens of inmates. The situation demands a comprehensive review and intervention to ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals within the correctional system.

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The order in prisons is deteriorating and the level of hygiene is decreasing, prisoners cannot even be guaranteed basic rights, and it is not worth talking about training and educational activities according to prisoners and officials.