Deputy-Ombudsman raises concerns about the sufficiency of health services for prisoners

​​​​​​​An inspection ordered by Deputy-Ombudsman Maija Sakslin was carried out at the Turku Prison Outpatient Clinic of the Health Care Services for Prisoners on 29 and 30 October 2025. The inspection revealed several challenges related to the smooth running of the outpatient clinic’s operation and the availability of the services.

Deputy-Ombudsman Sakslin: The prisoners’ right to sufficient mental health services is not realised because of inadequate resources in the Health Care Services for Prisoners. The healthcare and medical care of prisoners depend entirely on the operation of the Health Care Services for Prisoners, as prisoners do not have the same opportunities to seek other healthcare services as the rest of the population. The anticipated increase in the number of prisoners will also increase the need for the services in the future.

Being able to contact the outpatient clinic and the processing of the service forms are not realised in the manner required by law in all situations. In addition, there are significant delays in the care path of ADHD examinations and access to the examinations has declined because of long waiting times.

Based on the observations made during the inspection, insufficient personnel and physician resources have a significant impact on the operation of the outpatient clinic and the organisation of patient work. The Deputy-Ombudsman emphasises that ensuring the availability of medical services is essential for the quality of care, patient safety and compliance with the obligations laid down in law.

The Deputy-Ombudsman requested that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of Finance report what measures they have taken to ensure sufficient resources in the Health Care Services for Prisoners in accordance with section 22 of the Constitution of Finland.

In her decision EOAK/64/2024 of 25 April 2025 (in Finnish), the Deputy-Ombudsman has already commented on the availability of psychiatric care in prisons. The Deputy-Ombudsman will continue to monitor the situation in her oversight of legality.

The inspection record EOAK/5507/2025 has been published (in Finnish) on the website www.oikeusasiamies.fi.

For further information, please contact Senior Legal Adviser Anne Ilkka, tel. +358 9 432 3346.