The impact of the prison environment on behavioral changes of inmates: a study of inmates in Kosovo and Finland

Purpose This study aims to focus on understanding the prison environment, inmates' behavior and perceptions of the prison environment, analyzing the degree of awareness, rehabilitation and the programs that apply to prisons in both countries. It is assumed that the data that emerge from this research will contribute to a better understanding of the prisoner's world of their perception about the prison environment in Kosovo and Finland. The study focused on inmates' perception about the prison environment and their attitudes toward their sentences. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative study through in-depth interviews. Findings The results of this study indicated that inmates in Kosovo perceived the prison environment in a very negative light. The main reasons for this were the dissatisfaction with their status of being inmates and also lack of an appropriate classification of inmates. However, even though inmates in Finland perceived prison environment in a positive light, they still think that more educative programs are needed. Practical implications - The results of this study indicated that Kosovo Correctional Service should implement more rehabilitative programs and improve its classification system. Criminal Sanction Agency in Finland as per results should increase efforts for implementation of new programs and aftercare action plans. Originality/value To the best of the author's knowledge, it is the first research on inmates in two countries Kosovo and Finland, and this added new knowledge to the existing information about the prison environment in Kosovo and Finland. The results of this research gave an idea to respective institutions to add new rehabilitative and aftercare programs.