Finland Behind Bars: Suomenlinna Island Open Prison
Credit:
Rae Ellen Bichell
Finland is statistically proven to be the world’s happiest country in the world and there is a reason for it. Citizens receive various benefits from childcare subsidies and healthcare. Finnish prisons seem more like a staycation. If you ever do unfortunately land yourself in the big house in Finland, you might be even given a key to your own cell.
Photo: Tim Bird
Enter Suomenlinna Island’s open prison, one of 13 found around the country. Keep in mind, that these aren’t your regular jails and if you do feel like just walking out of an open prison, you’ll be sent to real jail. The concept of an open prison was originally a labour colony prior to 1973. Now, it is an open facility, where inmates can freely work part-time at the greenhouse, planting produce, go grocery shopping in town, have a cellphone and even participate in leisurely activities, such as fishing (with supervision). Inmates apply are sent there, as part of their final stages of rehabilitation back into society. The prison aims to provide inmates with a comfortable environment, where they can slowly socialise, work and play to slowly re-adapt to the society, they were previously locked away from.
Credit:
Courtesy of Criminal Sanctions Agency, Finland
If you’re planning to visit to Suomenlinna Island, stop by in Spring to buy some produce from the Spring greenhouse sale.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Helsinki, Finland (public visitor area; the map point is not a prison entrance).
- Coordinates
- 60.14439, 24.98541
- Access
- Suomenlinna Prison is an operating prison, not a walk-in attraction; prison visits are arranged under Finnish Prison and Probation Service rules. The public fortress island is reached by the HSL ferry from Market Square year-round (about 15 minutes). Explore signed public routes and respect residents and restricted areas. Do not approach the prison as a visitor attraction.
- Admission
- There is no general entrance fee for the public outdoor fortress routes. HSL ferry travel requires a valid public-transport ticket. Museums and some individual attractions charge separately; approved prison visits are not sightseeing admissions.
- Time needed
- The official Blue Route is about 1.5 km one way. The walk from the main pier to King’s Gate takes roughly 30–45 minutes; allow about 1–1.5 hours for the return walk, plus extra time for museums and stops.
- Best season
- Public routes and the HSL ferry operate year-round. Summer (May–September) brings seasonal water-bus service and more open visitor services; the fortress remains a lived-in district in every season. Do not walk onto sea ice; check official winter-safety notices.
- Opening hours
- The island’s public outdoor routes are accessible year-round. HSL ferry service runs daily, roughly 06:00–02:00; the waiting area is open during service, about 06:00–01:45. The Visitor Centre is listed daily 10:00–16:00. Museum and other service hours vary seasonally. The prison is not open for public sightseeing.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-27
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-23
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
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