IN-CJ Podcast 021 – Finnish Experience of Smart Prison vs Traditional Prison
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of the new Smart approach to prisons in Finland? This session from the IN-CJ Global Dialogues Newsdesk examined the challenges that are being faced in Finnish prisons in adapting to change. The session asked if all prisons in the future be smart prisons, and is there room for traditional prisons anymore? Participants in this session are Project Manager Pia Puolakka, Senior Criminal Sanctions Official Tuomas Hanhikangas and Senior Coordinator Almaleena Suomala.
This episode of the IN-CJ podcast explores the contrasting experiences of life in Finland’s Smart Prisons compared to more traditional correctional facilities. The discussion highlights how technology is transforming prison environments, offering both opportunities and challenges for rehabilitation, security, and reintegration.
The Smart Prison model, first launched in Hämeenlinna in 2018, equips each prisoner with a personal in-cell device. Through this system, prisoners can access restricted internet services, educational platforms, rehabilitation programmes, secure banking, and communication channels with family and staff. This digital infrastructure aims to align with the Nordic principle of normality, supporting independence and preparation for life after release.
In contrast, traditional facilities such as Sukeva Prison operate with limited digital access. Prisoners are escorted to supervised rooms to use laptops for specific purposes such as study or legal preparation, creating a heavier staff workload and fewer opportunities for independent management of daily life.
The discussion underlined the benefits of Smart Prisons, including improved family contact, better access to education and services, and reduced administrative burdens on staff. However, participants also noted significant challenges: managing security risks, preventing misuse, and ensuring legislation keeps pace with technological change.
A cultural shift was also evident. Initial staff scepticism has been replaced with growing recognition that digital tools can enhance safety, efficiency, and rehabilitation. The ability for prisoners to sustain family relationships, complete online education, and manage personal responsibilities is now seen as essential for reintegration into a digital society.
The conversation concluded that Smart Prisons represent more than technological innovation; they signal a wider shift towards embedding normality, responsibility, and rehabilitation into prison life. The contrast with traditional prisons illustrates both the urgency and the complexity of rethinking imprisonment in the digital age.
Listen to the full discussion in IN-CJ Podcast 021 – Finnish Experience of Smart Prison vs Traditional Prison.
