References

  • Council of Europe (2024). Recommendation CM/Rec(2024)5of the Committee of Ministers to member States regarding the ethical and organisational aspects of the use of artificial intelligence and related digital technologies by prison and probation services. https://search.coe.int/cm?i=0900001680b1d0e4
  • EuroPris ICT Expert group and EuroPris Real Estate Expert Group (2025). Integrating Technology and Construction: A Guide to ICT Installation Within the Prison Estate.
  • EuroPris. (2025, November 24). Digital transformation in prisons: Considerations for integrating ICT as the backbone of all aspects of prison operations. European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services. https://www.europris.org/file/digital-transformation-in-prisons-considerations-for-integrating-ict-as-the-backbone-of-all-aspects-of-prison-operations/
  • Puolakka, P. (2020). RISE AI: Reducing the Risk of Recidivism with AI. Aalto Executive Education: Diploma in Artificial Intelligence. Unpublished.
  • Puolakka, P. (2022). Implementing a Smart Prison in Finland. Advancing Corrections Journal, 14(2), 2-9.
  • Puolakka, P. (2024). Women Benefit More From Digital Rehabilitation Than Men. Advancing Corrections Journal, 18, 145-158.
  • Puolakka, P. (2025). Ghost in the cell? Artificial intelligence in prisoners’ rehabilitation: Automation vs. individuality? In G. Ottmann & C. Noble (Eds.), AI and the disruption of welfare: Challenges for social work education and practice. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/AI-and-the-Disruption-of-Welfare-Challenges-for-Social-Work-Education-and-Practice/Ottmann-Noble/p/book/9781032741123
  • Puolakka, P., & Suomela, M. (2023). Digitalization Supports Human Rights in Finnish Prisons, Advancing Corrections Journal, 16, 50-61.
  • Puolakka, P., & Van De Steene, S. (2021). Artificial Intelligence in Prisons in 2030. An exploration on the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Prisons. Advancing Corrections Journal, 11, 128-138.

Professional background

  • Smart Prison project, Project Manager, Prison and Probation Service of Finland, 2018-2022.
  • RISE AI project, Project Manager, Prison and Probation Service of Finland, 2020-2024.
  • Council of Europe, The Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP), expert group for Artificial Intelligence in prisons and probation, 2021-2023.
  • Team Leader, Prison and Probation Service of Finland, Core Operations Department: Safety, Security, and Individual Coaching Team, 2022-2025.
  • MindTech, CEO & owner, 2025-
  • Reimagining Criminal Justice, Director, 2026-

Educational Background

  • Master's degree in Psychology, University of Helsinki, 2003.
  • Psychotherapist, Integrum Institute, 2017.
  • Service Design Program, Aalto University Professional Development, 2018.
  • Forensic psychology specialization studies, Åbo Akademi, 2019.
  • Management training program for governmental agencies, HAUS, 2020.
  • Diploma in Artificial Intelligence, Aalto University of Executive Education, 2020.
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), Aalto University, ongoing since 2024.

International Congress and Workshop Presentations

  • CTA Annual Summit, Corrections Technology Association (CTA), 2021 and 2022.
  • Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services, Council of Europe, 2021 and 2022.
  • EuroPris ICT Workshop, EuroPris, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2025.
  • Forum on Detention and Probation, Schweizerisches Kompetenzzentrum für den Justizvollzug SKJV, 2020.
  • International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) Technology in Corrections, ICPA, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
  • ICPA Prison Design webinar (due to covid-19 instead of Annual General Meeting), ICPA, 2020.
  • ICPA Annual General Meeting, ICPA, 2022.
  • ICPA International Research in Corrections Conference, 2026.
  • 32nd Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2023.
  • 7th Future Justice and Corrections Summit, Sydney, Australia, 2023.
  • SPECTO 2024 The 8th International Conference – Multidisciplinary perspectives in the quasi-coercive treatment of offenders. Designing the future of Criminal Justice system under the lens of technology, 2024.
  • Australasian Corrections Education Association (ACEA), 15th Biennial International ACEA Conference: Broadening Horizons: Navigating A Chaotic World, 2024.
  • British Psychological Society, Division of Forensic Psychology, Annual Conference, 2024.
  • Youth Criminality and Its Connection to Human Trafficking, Finnish Ministry of Justice, Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Council of the Baltic Sea States, 2024.
  • European National Preventive Mechanisms (NPM) Forum's workshop "Tackling overcrowding in European prisons: strengthening NPMs' role in safeguarding rights and ensuring effective oversight", NPM, 2025.
  • Prison Fellowship International (PFI) European Forum, PFI, 2025.
  • Universitäre Strafvollzugstage, Hans Gross Centre for Interdisciplinary Criminal Sciences, University of Graz, Austria, 2025.
  • Ohio Justice Alliance on Community Corrections (OJACC) Annual Conference, University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute, 2025.
  • Regional Roundtable on Digital Practices in the Child Justice System, Penal Reform International (PRI), 2025.
  • UNICRI Workshop on Digital Rehabilitation in Prisons, Windhoek, Namibia, 2026.

Award Nominations

  • Digital Act of the Year, Atea Finland: among the three finalists in 2019, 2021 and 2022.
  • EuroPris Prison Achievement Award, EuroPris: 6th place in 2022.
  • Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency’s ‘Digitukiteko’ recognition awards: 2nd place in 2024.