Sir, – One of the reasons for Finland’s low prison population concerns the sentencing regime (The Prison Problem, Home News, January 23rd).
Rape in Finland requires the excessive use of force and if such not be the case a lesser charge of “coercive sexual contact” is used. For example, the beating of a disabled woman’s head against the wall in a public toilet before forced sexual intercourse was not rape but fell into this category. The sentence was seven months suspended and the payment of €1,000 in damages. Only 10 per cent of those convicted of a rape in this category serve prison time. Further, only 56 per cent of rapists who have used substantial violence serve prison time. The situation is similar for many serious cases of crimes against the person.
On the other hand refusal to do military service – a crime against the state – earns a custodial sentence.
If you do not imprison offenders in the first place it is easy to have a low rate of recidivism. In Finland the victim pays for the humanitarian statistics. – Yours, etc,