Finland transformed its criminal justice system 70 years ago. Now the country is investing in technology that offers inmates pathways back to society.
Finland has been rated the happiest in the world for three consecutive years. Citizens of the Scandinavian nation enjoy general public benefits: universal healthcare, subsidized daycare, and free college tuition.
So perhaps it's no surprise that the Finland's prisoners are some of the happiest as well.
In Finland's "open prison" system, there are no gates or locks — inmates come and go in their own cars. Instead of cell blocks with bars or glass windows, inmates stay in dormitories equipped with internet access and for fun, prison they can take recreational dips in a frozen lake.
Prisoners at more conventional "closed" prisons can apply to stay at one of Finland's 11 open prisons. And advocates say this model is instrumental for rehabilitating prisoners and reducing their chances of winding up behind bars again after their release.
Thanks to this model, only one in three released Finnish inmates returned to prison, compared to 41% of Swedish prisoners, and 43% in the United States.
The full article can be found here: https://www.businessinsider.fr/us/finland-prisons-technology-ai-online-classes-2020-8
