The publication, Operating approach for prison instruction – policies and principles, was developed by a joint working group appointed by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Justice. The work involved the Finnish National Agency for Education and the Prison and Probation Service of Finland and was carried out between January 2025 and February 2026.
The new framework expands and updates earlier guidance from 2019, which focused primarily on vocational education and training. It now covers a broader range of educational opportunities, including primary and lower secondary education, upper secondary education, vocational education and training, preparatory education, adult basic education, and liberal adult education. The aim is to ensure a more coherent and coordinated approach to learning in prison settings.
A coordinated approach to learning in prisons
The publication highlights the role of education in supporting rehabilitation, employability, social inclusion, and successful reintegration into society. It outlines the legal framework for prison education, describes how learning pathways should be planned and implemented, and addresses issues such as student admission, cooperation between educational providers and prison authorities, funding, information exchange, monitoring, and future development. The report also includes recommendations for strengthening prison education in the years ahead.
According to the report, education should be available throughout a person’s time in prison and should, as far as possible, reflect the opportunities available in wider society. Particular attention is given to ensuring access to education for people with low educational attainment, learning difficulties, language needs, and those who require additional support.