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 island area, Helsinki, Finland (visitor-area reference; not a prison entrance)
- Coordinates
- 60.14439, 24.98541
- Access
- Reach Suomenlinna by the year-round HSL passenger ferry from Helsinki Market Square (about 15 minutes); a valid HSL ticket is required before boarding. Walk the signed Blue Route and respect residents’ privacy, restricted work areas and unfenced fall hazards. Surfaces include cobbles, gravel and hills.
- Admission
- No fortress entrance fee; outdoor main sights are free. Ferry/water-bus travel requires a separate ticket, and most museums plus the church in summer charge admission.
- Time needed
- The official Blue Route is about 1.5 km one way; allow about 1–1.5 hours for the walk, plus extra time for sights and services.
- Best season
- Accessible year-round. Some services are seasonal; the water bus operates from early May to late September, while the HSL ferry runs every day.
- Opening hours
- The island district is accessible every day of the year; indoor museums, church and visitor services have their own schedules.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-27
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-27
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
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