rangaistuksen

Rangaistus is a legal term referring to a sanction imposed by the state on a person who has committed a crime. In Finnish law the concept encompasses the various consequences that a court can order as a response to criminal conduct. The purpose of rangaistus is multiple: to punish the offender, deter crime, protect society, and, in many cases, promote rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The severity and form of the punishment are intended to be proportionate to the seriousness of the offense and the characteristics of the offender.

In Finland, punishments are defined in the rikoslaki (Criminal Code) and related statutes. The most common forms of rangaistus include imprisonment (vankeus), which may be finite or life imprisonment (elinkautinen vankeus). Financial penalties are also widely used, including a traditional fine (sakko) and day-fines (päiväsakko), where the total amount depends on the offender’s daily income. Other forms include community service (yhteiskuntapalvelus) and suspended or conditional sentences (ehdollinen rangaistus), where the punishment is put on hold with conditions that must be met. In some cases, a combination or multiple penalties can be imposed (yhdistetty rangaistus or successive penalties).

The sentencing process emphasizes individualization and proportionality. Courts assess the nature of the crime, the offender’s age, mental state, criminal history, and prospects for rehabilitation. Some penalties can be adjusted or suspended, and enforcement mechanisms may include supervision or probation. The concept of rangaistus sits within a broader criminal justice framework that also includes preventive measures, security considerations, and aftercare. The term itself derives from the verb rangaista, meaning to punish.