The Prison

Finland’s largest prison museum located in Hämeenlinna

Checkout The Prison Watch Video

The Museum is located in Linnanniemi, Hämeenlinna, which presents the history of Finnish prison administration and prison life.

Finland’s first cell prison, the previous Hämeenlinna county prison, was completed in 1871, and on 2 May 2019, the National Museum of Finland will open it to the public. The county prison was used as a prison until 1993.
Many criminals known from history have served their sentences here, such as murderer Matti Haapoja and Ostrobothnian knife-fighters Isoo-Antti and Rannanjärvi. Poet Elvi Sinervo and sleeping preacher Maria Åkerblom are among the best known female prisoners of the Castle.
In the early stages of the operation of the Prison, which was also called the Hämeenlinna penal labour prison, an example was taken from American prisons, where cells were grouped on either side of a central corridor.
The Prison awakens feelings and breaks prejudices. The past lives on in the writings on the walls, the items, and the lived-in cells. The visit brings up the fundamental questions of humanity.
Guests can visit alone or groups can book private guided tours of The Prison. The duration of the guided tour is approximately 45 minutes.

The National Museum of Finland consist of eight museums and two castles