Many inmates in Finland live in “open prisons,” where they are allowed to own a vehicle, leave for work or school, and host overnight guests.
Now, the country is funding educational programs where prisoners learn technology skills like artificial intelligence. Prisoners apply to be there and the facilities don’t have gates, locks or uniforms. Prisoners earn money, can go into town. They can also choose to study toward a university degree instead of working.
Finland realized incarceration is not the answer to social problems, as the Nordic country used to have a high incarceration rate but the criminal justice system was re-examined and new policy was drafted, guided by research. Incarceration did not result in less crime. Today, Finland has one of the lowest incarceration rates. It also has a “secret sauce.” It ranks high on gender equality, low on corruption. The judicial system is considered the most independent in the world. Personal levels of freedom are high and Finland is considered socially progressive and socially just.