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Detention

Finland has two detention units: one in Metsälä, Helsinki, and the other in Konnunsuo, Joutseno. Both detention units operate in connection with a reception centre of the Finnish Immigration Service.

An asylum seeker can only be detained in situations that are specified in the law. You may be detained for one of the following reasons, for example:

  • If your identity is unclear.  
  • If there are reasonable grounds to suspect that you would try to stop the police from removing you from the country.
  • If you are suspected of a crime in Finland, or if there are grounds to believe that you pose a threat to national security in Finland.
  • If you are subject to the border procedure and must be detained. For more information, see the page Border procedure.

The detention units are closed areas which the detained persons cannot leave.

The decision to detain a person is made by the police or the Border Guard. The detained person must be immediately informed of the grounds of the detention. He or she must also be given information about the processing of the matter that concerns the detention, and about his or her possibility to receive legal aid.

The Finnish Immigration Service runs the detention units and is responsible for directing, planning and supervising the practical detention unit operations.