Vanaja Unit

The Vanaja Unit is an open facility for women located in the countryside of Hämeenlinna, Finland. The Vanaja and Ojoinen units together form the Vanaja Prison, which operates under the Finnish Criminal Sanctions Agency (RISE) and the Ministry of Justice. The family house in the Vanaja Unit is run by an NGO under the supervision of health and welfare services. It focuses primarily on the child’s well-being, the child is considered the main client.

Established in 1994, Vanaja is part of Finland’s welfare-oriented criminal policy, which emphasizes rehabilitation, education, and social reintegration. One-third of all people in detention in Finland are placed in open facilities, reflecting the country’s belief that well-being, education, and employment are the foundations of a safe society.

→ Full report

SMALL-SCALE

The Vanaja unit has a capacity for 57 people, of which 10 places for parents (mothers or fathers) with their children. The residents live in separated small-scale houses for three to eight people people and one larger family house. Each house consists of three to eight bed rooms, a shared kitchen, a shared bathroom, a shared living room and a laundry area. Among those apartment houses, one is dedicated to families. The family house offers specific services, such as a shared family living room, a private relaxation area for breastfeeding, for example. The design of this apartment is more oriented to children.

SMALL-scale

The Vanaja unit has a capacity for 57 people, of which 10 places for parents (mothers or fathers) with their children. The residents live in separated small-scale houses for three to eight people people and one larger family house. Each house consists of three to eight bed rooms, a shared kitchen, a shared bathroom, a shared living room and a laundry area. Among those apartment houses, one is dedicated to families. The family house offers specific services, such as a shared family living room, a private relaxation area for breastfeeding, for example. The design of this apartment is more oriented to children.

Vanaja Unit is a:

Open detention facility

for:

57 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

Vanaja Unit is a:

Open detention facility

for:

57 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

Vanaja Unit is a:

Open detention facility

for:

57 PEOPLE,
Women

Indicated principles:

Community-integrated, Differentiated

DIFFERENTIATION

The Vanaja unit houses mainly adult women, regardless of the stage of their sentence. Whether lifelong sentences or minor offenses leading to shorter detention periods, all women are welcome here. The facility is known for its family house, which provides a unique opportunity for mothers or fathers to live with their children, supporting the child’s well-being while promoting parental responsibility and family unity. Children must be under 2 years old upon arrival, but they can stay until the age of 3. Pregnant women can also be accommodated.

Because the Vanaja unit is an open detention facility, most of the daily activities take place outside the facility. Residents are in charge of their own schedule. However, there is a general schedule that indicates the daily programme, such as when residents are expected to do grocery shopping, when visits are allowed and in between which hours they are allowed to leave the facility. Many residents work or study externally, while others participate in internal work tasks or development programs organized within the facility.

COMMUNITY-INTEGRATION

Although situated outside the city, the Vanaja unit maintains strong connections with the local community. Residents frequently work, study, and shop in town, and the facility collaborates with public health, social work, and employment services to prepare residents for reintegration. The Vanaja unit also partners with NGOs and occasionally hosts a Powerday event, where external organizations present their work. Collaboration with non-governmental organizations further enriches daily life in the facility: KRIS provides peer support and mentorship, while Taittuu ry leads applied theatre projects that promote self-expression and reduce social exclusion.

Differentiation

The Vanaja unit houses mainly adult women, regardless of the stage of their sentence. Whether lifelong sentences or minor offenses leading to shorter detention periods, all women are welcome here. The facility is known for its family house, which provides a unique opportunity for mothers or fathers to live with their children, supporting the child’s well-being while promoting parental responsibility and family unity. Children must be under 2 years old upon arrival, but they can stay until the age of 3. Pregnant women can also be accommodated.

Because the Vanaja unit is an open detention facility, most of the daily activities take place outside the facility. Residents are in charge of their own schedule. However, there is a general schedule that indicates the daily programme, such as when residents are expected to do grocery shopping, when visits are allowed and in between which hours they are allowed to leave the facility. Many residents work or study externally, while others participate in internal work tasks or development programs organized within the facility.

Community-integration

Although situated outside the city, the Vanaja unit maintains strong connections with the local community. Residents frequently work, study, and shop in town, and the facility collaborates with public health, social work, and employment services to prepare residents for reintegration. The Vanaja unit also partners with NGOs and occasionally hosts a Powerday event, where external organizations present their work. Collaboration with non-governmental organizations further enriches daily life in the facility: KRIS provides peer support and mentorship, while Taittuu ry leads applied theatre projects that promote self-expression and reduce social exclusion.

the Prison and Probation Service of Finland (RISE)

Vanaja Unit

Report Vanaja Unit

English report

Visited by RESCALED (2023 and 2025)

RESCALED

the Prison and Probation Service of Finland (RISE)

Vanaja Unit

Report Vanaja Unit

Report

Visit

Visited by RESCALED (2023 and 2025)

WISH-EU

the Prison and Probation Service of Finland (RISE)

Vanaja Unit

Report Vanaja Unit

Report

Visited by RESCALED (2023 and 2025)

RESCALED