L’aumônerie de prison

All inmates are entitled to pursue their faith or religion and to follow the dictates of that faith while they are in prison, regardless of which particular faith the inmate follows. Nearly all of the priests in Finnish prisons belong to the Lutheran Church but they are employees of the government, not of the Church. Most institutions have at least a part-time priest or deacon to hold personal discussions, small group gatherings and masses. Studies have shown that both the inmates and general public find the work of prison chaplains to be very important. Important part of Church´s work for prisoners is done outside prison when inmates are released. After-care, sheltered homes and support for ending drug and alcohol abuse are also part of Church´s prison chaplaincy programme.