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
- Suomenlinna Prison is an operating prison, the official prison page describes arranged visits to prisoners, not walk-in sightseeing; visits follow prison rules. Visitors can explore the public fortress routes on Suomenlinna island by taking the HSL ferry from Helsinki Market Square (about 15 minutes); buy a valid HSL ticket before boarding and remain on signed public routes.
- Admission
- There is no entrance fee to the public Suomenlinna fortress, but ferry travel requires a valid HSL ticket. The prison page advertises no public sightseeing admission; prisoner visits are controlled and arranged under its rules.
- Time needed
- For the public fortress walk, allow about 1–1.5 hours for the official Blue Route, plus extra time for attractions. No tourist visit duration applies to the working prison itself.
- Best season
- The public fortress routes and HSL ferry operate year-round. Some museums and the water bus are seasonal, so summer offers more open services; this is not a season for public prison access.
- Opening hours
- The public island routes are accessible year-round; the HSL ferry follows a changing timetable (the official site says it runs daily, roughly 6 a.m.–2 a.m.). No public sightseeing hours are listed for Suomenlinna Prison; approved prisoner visits follow its rules. The visitor centre is listed daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-27
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-08
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
Location
Use the zoom buttons or pinch to zoom. Use arrow keys to pan when the map is focused.
Interactive map loads when in view.
Explorer Passport
Next badge: Trail Scout
Unlocked after exploring 5 different unusual places.
0 of 5 places explored
Discover more from Unusual Places
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
One Comment