Study title

Interviews with Social Workers on the Challenges and Support Needs of Released Prisoners 2024

Dataset ID Number

FSD4057

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4057
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4057

Data Type

Qualitative

Authors

• Laurea University of Applied Sciences

Abstract

The data consists of interviews with social workers regarding the challenges faced by prisoners upon release and their need for support. The data was collected as part of the 'Multiagency social work to support clients released from prison in a digitalizing society (VAPAA)” project, which examined how multi-agency social work can support clients with criminal histories during the transition phase following their release from prison.

The aim of the interviews was to investigate what opportunities and challenges social workers perceive in relation to released prisoners breaking the cycle of crime and reintegrating into society, as well as in the multi-agency social work carried out during the transitional phase following release from prison, as well as how digitalisation is reflected in cooperation during this transitional phase.

The interviews consist of background questions, open-ended questions designed to provide context, and nine questions in the form of statements. At the end, the interviewees were also given the opportunity to elaborate on their answers or raise any other points relating to the topic.

The background information provided includes, amongst other things, the interviewee's gender, age and occupation. Eighteen of the interviews were conducted via Teams and one took place face-to-face on site.

Keywords

digitalization; prison sentences; prison system; prisoners; social services; social work; social workers

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Crime and law enforcement (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Specific social services: use and availability (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (C) available only for research including master's theses.

Data Collector

• Laurea University of Applied Sciences

Funders

• Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Collection Dates

2024-04-01 – 2024-09-30

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Social workers who provide social services to adults and have experience working with prisoners who are about to be released.

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

An invitation to participate in a voluntary interview was sent to social workers in 10 different wellbeing services county. The invitation specified that participants must work in adult social services and have experience working with prisoners who are about to be released.

Collection Mode

Web-based interview

Face-to-face interview

Research Instrument

Interview scheme and/or themes

Data Files

19 interviews in odt format. Additionally, the data were organised into an easy to use HTML version and a CSV version.

Data File Language

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

Qualitative data are available in their original language only and are not translated.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The author of the data has anonymised it: The anonymisation has been carried out in such a way that individual interviewees or third parties (e.g. colleagues or clients) cannot be identified from the data. Anonymisation has been carried out by completely removing any direct identifiers and strong indirect identifiers from the transcribed data (e.g. references to the organisation, regionally identifiable services, areas of responsibility). Indirect identifiers have been handled at our discretion, for example by categorising them, rephrasing them at a more general level, or substituting identifying details. Where necessary, in addition to individual identifiers, longer sections of text have been removed from the interview transcripts if the interviewee has disclosed sensitive information that could identify them, their colleagues or their organisation. The sections from which identifying details have been removed are indicated in the interview transcripts by square brackets containing three dots or a categorisation.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Laurea University of Applied Sciences: Interviews with Social Workers on the Challenges and Support Needs of Released Prisoners 2024 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-06-29). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4057; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4057

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Juvonen, T., Rantala, H., Järveläinen, E. & Rantanen, T. (2025). "Sosiaalityöntekijöiden näkemyksiä monitoimijaisesta sosiaalityöstä ja sosiaalityön digitalisoitumisesta vankilasta vapautumisen nivelvaiheessa." Teoksessa: T., Rantanen, E. Järveläinen & M. Suonio (toim.) Monitoimijainen sosiaalityö vankilasta vapautuvan tukena digitalisoi-tuvassa yhteiskunnassa, s. 27-41. Laurea-julkaisut 241. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-799-735-5

Juvonen, T., Rantanen, T., Rantala, H., & Suonio, M. (2026). Opportunities and challenges in digital social work with people re-entering society from prison : - Qualitative analysis of Finnish social workers' views. Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 26(3). https://doi.org/10.1921/swssr20252620

Järveläinen, E., Rantala, H., & Suonio, M. (2026). Balancing Bureaucracy and Humane Encounters: A Qualitative Analysis of Social Workers' Ethical Reflections on Supporting Clients with a History of Crime in Finland. Ethics and Social Welfare, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2026.2690004

Suonio, M., Surakka, K., Juvonen, T. & Rantala, H. (2025). "Haavoittuvuus ja vankilasta vapautuvien tuen tarve aikuissosiaalityössä - Havaintoja VAPAA-hankkeen tulosten pohjalta." Kivistö, M., Kankkonen, H., Kemppainen, T., Orjasniemi, T. & Sirkka, K. (toim.) Tutkiva sosiaalityö: Sosiaalityö haavoittuvuuden kohtaajana. s. 49-58. Talentia-lehti, Sosiaalityön tutkimuksen seura.