Officials hope the reforms will help cut back on the number of repeat offenders and prepare prisoners for a life free of crime.
Prisoners who have demonstrated good behaviour will be eligible for the parole programme. Many of these prisoners have already begun rehabilitation, studying or work release programmes and plan to continue those activities when they are free.
About 25 prisoners are expected to participate in the parole programme in 2007. It’s hoped that number will increase to between 400 and 500 prisoners in a few years.
The number of prisoners has decreased slightly this year. Currently Finland’s jails hold about 3,700 prisoners. One year ago, there were over 4,000 people incarcerated in Finland.
The Ministry of Justice hopes that the number will drop to around 3,300 within a few years. YLE24