In a recent column, Shadia Raskin highlights a troubling practice wherein families from Finland and other Western countries send their children to correctional facilities in countries like Somalia and Kenya. Drawing from a segment by Yle’s MOT program, Raskin shares quotes revealing that these children often comply with harsh conditions out of fear, suggesting that extreme measures are taken by parents who believe these environments are a solution for behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and school truancy. The investigative piece shows the chilling reality of what pleading parents want to believe is a reformative journey for their children.

The previous investigation by MOT revealed the case of a 13-year-old named Lilian, who was sent for correctional 'training' in Iraq. Raskin informs readers that this is not an isolated phenomenon; families from various ethnic backgrounds—including Somali, Iraqi, Congolese, Kurdish, and Sri Lankan—have resorted to these drastic measures due to ongoing challenges involving their children. While these families hope for a positive change, the practice raises grave concerns about the effectiveness of such interventions and the well-being of the children sent away.

Overall, the column provokes critical discussion about parental desperation, the societal pressures leading to such decisions, and the often unacknowledged suffering of youth caught in these extreme disciplinary measures. It calls for greater awareness and responsibility within communities regarding the implications of sending children to correctional facilities abroad, urging families and policymakers to reconsider the solutions that are deemed acceptable for dealing with youth behavioral issues.