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In line with a new Act developed in the late Eighties, the Finnish 'Penal' system was refocused on rehabilitation. I can't find the official explanation, but look at this article and especially the chart 'By the numbers'

Number of prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants in 2002:
Finland: 52
US: 702
Russia: 664

http://www.boosman.com/blog/2003/01/the_finnish_prison_system.html

These figures happen to be closely tracked by the inequality of income.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Thu Aug 23rd, 2007 at 04:02:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Slowly but surely we'll convert all of ET to the cause of Truth, Justice and the Finnish WayTM!

I wonder what the stats are on repeat-offenders, but surely it must be lower in Finland (for one thing, less people per capita who could potentially be a repeat-offender).
I've had arguments with people who seem to think Finnish prisoners have it too good (which usually ends with me invoking Goodwin's law in one form or another). As I said above, what's the point of having prisons to begin with it if you come out in worse shape than when you went in?

"The basis of optimism is sheer terror" - Oscar Wilde

by NordicStorm (michael<-at->sturmbaum.net) on Thu Aug 23rd, 2007 at 04:17:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I can't help but believe there are cultural differences at work.  

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears
by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Thu Aug 23rd, 2007 at 04:35:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Of course. Historical cultural differences. I think the worst thing the Finns ever did was to supply the Hakkapeliitta for the 30 year war of then owner of Finland, Sweden. If you want to know why the classic Teuton is blond, then just go back to these Finnish mercenaries who gave even raping and pillaging a badder name.

Other than that the Finns have been quietly suffering their neighbours.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Thu Aug 23rd, 2007 at 04:45:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
well, there was the civil war and its very ugly aftermath, with lots of executed reds, even women and underage boys and girls..

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--
by tzt (tztmail at gmail dot com) on Thu Aug 23rd, 2007 at 06:16:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Quite a few executed whites too. Such is 'civil' war

You can't be me, I'm taken
by Sven Triloqvist on Fri Aug 24th, 2007 at 07:44:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Quite a few executed whites too.

Sure, of course, but the aftermath saw only executed reds, since they were the losers.

Some exact numbers from the War Victims Project:

Killed in action: 5324 Reds, 3279 Whites
Executed or murdered: 7207 Reds, 1321 Whites
Died in prison camps: 11785 Reds, 6 Whites
Died after being released: 597 Reds, 0 Whites
Missing: 1818 Reds, 42 Whites
Other causes: 695 Reds, 173 Whites
Total: 27426 Reds, 4821 Whites, 2030 Others

(Sorry for the digression)

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--

by tzt (tztmail at gmail dot com) on Fri Aug 24th, 2007 at 03:12:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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