The Deputy Ombudsman of Finland, Maija Sakslin, has expressed significant concern regarding the fulfillment of prisoners' rights to sufficient mental health services. The issue primarily arises from inadequate resources allocated to the prison healthcare system, which has been highlighted during inspections. A specific inspection of the Turku outpatient clinic, scheduled for October 2025, uncovered considerable challenges affecting both the smooth functioning of operations and the availability of services, raising alarm over the current state of mental health services for inmates.

Moreover, the report noted that there are particularly long wait times for ADHD assessments, and prisoners face difficulties in accessing outpatient clinic services. The anticipated increase in the prison population further exacerbates the growing demand for mental health services, thus necessitating immediate action to address these shortages. Sakslin's statements call for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, alongside the Ministry of Finance, to take proactive measures to ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to the prison healthcare system going forward.

The implications of such a shortage in mental health services are far-reaching, affecting not only the wellbeing of prisoners but also the overall effectiveness of the penal system. As mental health issues can significantly influence behavior and rehabilitation outcomes, addressing these concerns is vital for fostering a safer and more rehabilitative environment in prisons. This situation emphasizes the urgent need for policy reforms and increased funding in Finland's prison healthcare services to uphold the rights of inmates and manage future challenges related to mental health effectively.