Finland: Total objectors in future under house arrest?

YLE.fi reported on 31 August that Finish total objectors might in future not be sent to prison for their refusal of military and substitute service, but might instead get house arrest. The change is possible due to a new law putting short-term convicts under house arrest. Finnish law enforcement officials plan to use electronic ankle bracelets to monitor convicts serving time at home.

“This is the first time that an option other than prison is made available to conscientious objectors,” says Kaj Raninen from the Finnish Union of Conscientious Objectors.

Raninen, however, adds that house arrest does not solve broader human rights issues regarding Finland's conscription system.

As of November, those serving sentences of up to six months may qualify for house arrest. The new law will bring significant savings for the state, as home detention carries one third of the cost of a regular prison term.

Source: YLE.fi: Conscientious objectors may soon avoid prison, 31 August 2011