The Health and Wellbeing of Prisoners (Wattu IV) is a joint research project on a population group that is not visible in traditional population studies.
The first comprehensive study on the health, work ability, and treatment needs of prisoners arriving at prison was published in 1985 (Wattu I), which was also the first of its kind in the world. Follow-up studies were published in the early 1990s (Wattu II) and in 2010 (Wattu III). Wattu IV study has received "the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) Research Excellence Award" for 2025.
The imprisonment period is a rare opportunity to investigate complex problems, such as untreated illnesses, social exclusion or mental health. Treatment and multidisciplinary cooperation following release will be easier in the home municipalities when prisoners' social and health-related needs are identified during imprisonment. At best, health and wellbeing studies for prisoners can prevent crime and increase the security of society.
Goals
Similar to traditional population studies, the aim of data collection was to obtain information on health and to prevent illnesses, but in the prison population, the target was expanded to cover the accumulation of difficult social problems.
At its most effective, the study will help to prevent imprisonment and reduce crime. In addition, the aim was to identify methods for strengthening the continuity of care and service paths, and to produce information to support the development of services provided by Health Care Services for Prisoners and prison administration.
The primary objective is to apply prison population data in multidisciplinary research to improve the comprehensive picture of service needs and to advance the welfare of vulnerable groups.
Implementation
The data collection during Nov 2020 and Dec 2022 consisted of a survey sent to all sentenced prisoners, an interview conducted by the study nurse, a health examination, as well as laboratory tests on sub-samples, an oral health examination, an oral panorama X-ray, and interviews on mental disorders. In addition, an anonymous questionnaire was distributed.
The study was conducted at both closed prisons (Helsinki, Riihimäki, Hämeenlinna and Turku) and open prisons (Suomenlinna, Ojoinen, Vanaja and Huittinen). VTH employees were responsible for recruiting prisoners and for performing their health examinations and interviews and for taking blood samples. The oral health examination was carried out by dentists and dental nurses employed by VTH, and the mental health interviews were conducted by psychiatric nurses employed by VTH and psychologists employed by Rise. The study nurses were trained in the use of methods with the help of Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare's (THL) population study experts.
The research sample consisted of 403 males and 126 females (17.5% refused to participate). It was assured that backgrounds of the prisoners in the sample are comparable to those of prisoners present in closed prisons on a given day. The sample comprises approximately one quarter of all sentenced prisoners in Finland. The study utilised THL's population research methods. This will make it possible to compare the state of health of prisoners with that of the general population. The register study phase is estimated to last approximately 20 years. The collected data is part of THL's data resources, which can be utilised in accordance with THL's data access authorisation procedure.
Funding
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Prison and Probation Service of Finland, Health Care Services for Prisoners
Partners
Prison and Probation Service of Finland, Health Care Services for Prisoners.
Contact details
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