Some 2,000 prison employees throughout Finland participated in the walkout. Security at prisons was ensured by surveillance staff who did not take part in the strike.
"Prisoners are locked in their cells and transfers are not being made," said Jari Tuomela, the chair of the Finnish Prison Officers' Union.
A couple of weeks ago, Finland's Criminal Sanctions Agency proposed closing the Konnunsuo Prison in Joutseno and the Pelso Prison in Vaala. The prisons could permanently close their doors by the end of 2011 if the proposal is approved by the Justice Ministry and government.