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FINNISH PENAL SYSTEM - RECENT REFORMS

NCJ Number
43575
Journal
New England Journal on Prison Law Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 437-486
Author(s)
B ZAGARIS
Date Published
1977
Length
50 pages
Annotation
COMPONENTS OF FINLAND'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE OUTLINED, AND REFORMS IN THE FINNISH PENAL SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED FROM HISTORICAL AND ISSUE-ORIENTED PERSPECTIVES.
Abstract
FINLAND'S LEGAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN INFLUENCED EXTENSIVELY BY SWEDISH PRACTICES. PENAL SYSTEM REFORMS IN FINLAND HAVE BEEN GUIDED BY TWO GOALS: MAXIMUM REDUCTION OF THE SOCIAL COSTS OF CRIME, AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE COSTS AND SUFFERING ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME. CRIME LEGISLATION IS VIEWED AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENT FOR DISTRIBUTING THE COSTS AND SUFFERING AMONG VICTIMS, OFFENDERS, AND THE REST OF SOCIETY. MAJOR PENAL SYSTEM REFORMS INCLUDE A 1975 LAW AIMED AT REGULATING JUDICIAL DISCRETION IN THE SENTENCING PROCESS, ATTEMPTS TO MINIMIZE THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS, LEGISLATION PROVIDING COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, AND REFORMS WITHIN PENAL INSTITUTIONS. EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON INCREASED USE OF A REVISED DAY-FINE SYSTEM, IN WHICH THE NUMBER OF DAY-FINES IMPOSED REFLECTS THE SEVERITY ON AN OFFENSE, WHILE THE AMOUNT OF EACH FINE REFLECTS THE OFFENDER'S FINANCIAL CAPACITY. OTHER EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS HAVE INCLUDED INCREASED USE OF CONDITIONAL SENTENCES AND LIBERALIZATION OF PAROLE PRACTICES. NORMALIZATION OF PRISON REGIMES HAS INVOLVED GREATER USE OF OPEN INSTITUTIONS IN WHICH PRISONERS PERFORM MEANINGFUL WORK FOR MARKET WAGES AND ARE GIVEN MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT. POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS OF THE FINNISH EXPERIENCE TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROBLEMS IN OTHER COUNTRIES ARE CONSIDERED.

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