RETS – Life Without Crime
RETS – Life Without Crime is a nationwide expert organization and service provider founded in 2001.
We promote the wellbeing, inclusion and social participation of people who have committed crimes, and their close ones. Our goal is to ensure that they receive the support they need and that recidivism is reduced.
RETS works as:
- An expert in rehabilitation
- An advocate for people who have committed crimes and their close ones
- A provider and developer of support services
We offer a wide range of services to people with criminal backround and their close ones.
On this page, you will find brief introductions to all our services as well as the contact information of our personell. You can reach out to any of us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Support for women
Our women‑centered services support women who are being released from criminal sanctions or who have recently been released. Support is provided through professional guidance and peer‑based conversations. The aim is to strengthen rehabilitation and integration into society, psychological wellbeing and stability in everyday life.
We support women in:
- Strengthening self‑image, motivation for change and mental wellbeing
- Developing emotional and interaction skills
- Building life structures that support a crime‑free future
- Managing daily life and accessing services
- Dealing with authorities, applying for benefits and navigating social and healthcare systems
Support is available in person in the metropolitan area and nationwide remotely. All of our services are free of charge.
Topics We Work With
- Personal resources, wellbeing and mental health
- Self‑understanding and self‑esteem
- Disengagement from criminal lifestyles
- Reducing or ending substance use
- Sexuality and gender
- Violence and safety
- Identifying harmful behaviours and finding alternatives
- Emotional awareness and regulation
- Close and family relationships
- Planning meaningful everyday life
- Practical issues (housing, income, finances, debts)
We also engage in structural influence and network cooperation to strengthen gender‑specific knowledge among social and healthcare professionals and to support women’s access to services. We work closely with the Prison and Probation Service of Finland, Organisations providing women‑specific services and local professional networks in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa.
Support for Youth
Our Youth Activities offer a substance‑free community, meaningful activities and a safe environment for young people aged 15–29 with a background in crime or substance use, providing both peer‑based and professional support. We support young people with benefit-related matters, daily life management and building skills needed for studies and working life. All activities and services are free of charge.
We also provide opportunities to complete supervised community sanctions, such as supervised probationary freedom, community service or youth sanctions.
Activities
We organise weekly group activities , including for example swimming, gym sessions, picnics, ball games and many other activities. Our community space also offers food assistance: every Wednesday, surplus food is delivered, and young people can either take groceries home or prepare a meal on-site. In our studio area, young people can practise music production, songwriting or simply play and explore creativity. Young people are also encouraged to cocreate new activities. We welcome ideas and experimentation!
Youth mentoring
Our youth mentoring programme aims to strengthen overall wellbeing, emotional regulation, everyday stability and social skills. The mentoring relationship helps maintain hope and supports young people in their overall life management. Mentors work as part of the client’s wider support network. Mentoring can take place both in the community and during imprisonment. The content of the meetings is tailored to each young person’s needs and goals.
Contact Information
Our drop‑in space is located in Sörnäinen, Helsinki. When the space is open, you are welcome to come in for coffee and spend time with us.
Visiting address:
Käenkuja 1 C, 2nd floor
00500 Helsinki
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9–15, Wed 9–19:30.
You can receive individual support and assistance by contacting our instructors by phone or by coming to meet them at the drop‑in space. Welcome!
Raittila — substance‑free peer community
RETS Raittila offers a substance‑free peer community in the evenings and weekends in Sörnäinen, Helsinki. Activities are free and voluntary. The space is open to all who seek community, stability and meaningful activities. All activities and services are free of charge.
Raittila provides:
- Peer support in a safe, substance‑free setting
- Discussion groups, creative activities, exercise and various workshops
- A community‑driven approach where activities are planned together
- Opportunities for community service or fulfilling activity obligations during supervised probationary freedom
- Volunteering to maintain sobriety
Children of clients are welcome to visit with their parents. Everyone is valued equally, regardless of their background.
Our drop‑in space is located in Sörnäinen, Helsinki. When the space is open, you are welcome to come in for coffee and spend time with us. Welcome!
Contact Information
We are open:
Tue–Fri 16:00–20:00
Sat 12:00–18:00
Raittila is located in an easily accessible spot at:
Käenkuja 1 C, 2nd floor
You can receive individual guidance or additional information by contacting our staff.
RETS Community Space in Kouvola
Our low‑threshold community space in Kouvola offers a safe, substance‑free environment for young people and adults with a criminal background, as well as their families. All visitors are welcome exactly as they are. All activities and services are free of charge.
The space supports overall wellbeing through:
- Peer and professional support
- Help with daily life
- Physical activities
- Hobbies
- Group activities
REILI 2.0 Project (Kouvola)
The REILI project provides individual and group‑based mentoring for young people who have committed offences, used violence or idealise street violence. It offers specialised expertise for professionals working with this target group.
Contact information
Opening Hours
Monday
10:00–18:00 — Reili 2.0 project
Adults (18+) by appointment
Tuesday
10:00–15:00 — Adults (18+)
Wednesday
10:00–14:00 — Adults (18+)
14:00–18:00 — Youth (14–18)
Thursday
10:00–14:00 — Adults (18+)
Visiting address:
Kauppalankatu 25
Kouvola
RETS Homes (Supported housing)
RETS Homes offer supported housing for people who have committed crimes or are being released from prison and who need both accommodation and daily‑life support.
We provide approximately 100 supported apartments in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. These are regular studio and one‑bedroom apartments in residential buildings.
Supported housing is temporary and requires:
- A payment commitment from social services for the support component
- A rental agreement
Who is Supported Housing For?
It suits individuals who:
- Want to break cycles of crime and substance use
- Need support in daily life and rehabilitation
- Can commit to rent payments
- Can live in a standard residential environment
- Benefit from structured support and guidance
To get an apartment from us, you need a payment commitment from social services for the support component. So, first contact your social worker. Applications are made through social workers. Vacancies can also be enquired directly from the RETS homes’ Social Advisors.
Housing Guidance for People Being Released
Our housing guidance service helps individuals being released from prison find suitable accommodation. Housing specialists work together with prisons, municipalities and NGOs.
There is often a queue for housing, so planning must begin early. A release plan is essential.
Who Can Receive Housing Guidance?
- People facing release without housing
- Homeless individuals with a criminal background
- Family members of those being released
Contact Information
The Foundation for a Life Without Crime (RETS) is located in the Sörnäinen district of Helsinki at Käenkuja 1.
Postal address:
Käenkuja 1 b, 00500 Helsinki
Visiting addresses:
Käenkuja 1 b (office)
Käenkuja 1 c (customer services)
Office hours: 9:00–15:00
Public transport connections to RETS are excellent.
The nearest metro station is Sörnäinen, and several buses and trams operating along Hämeentie stop right next to Käenkuja.
Staff email addresses follow this format:
firstname.lastname@rets.fi
Support for children & families
Email: laheiset@rets.fi
Anastasia Lapintie, Senior Specialist
Tel. 050 4124 016
Noora Alanen, Specialist
Tel. 050 4478 051
Katariina Soihtu, Instructor
Tel. 050 4478 071
Support for learning difficulties
Email: oppiva@rets.fi
Anna Taavitsainen, Senior Specialist
Tel. 050 4124 023
Ombudsman Services
Email: kam@rets.fi
Marjatta Kaurala, RETS Ombudsman
Tel. 050 3447 582
Ulrika Järvinen, Specialist
Tel. 050 412 4301
Support for women
Email: naiset@rets.fi
Sari Lönnberg, Senior Specialist
Tel. 046 9220 447
Christine Petäjä, Peer Support Worker
Tel. 044 3560 048
Maija Walve, Specialist
Tel. 046 9208 863
Support for Youth
Email: nuoret@rets.fi
Hanna Myyrä, Senior Instructor
Tel. 044 4931 355
Lilli Linteri, Instructor
Tel. 044 4938 208
Roni Kultalehmus, Instructor
Tel. 044 9017 437
Matti Lepola, Instructor
Tel. 044 7101 689
REILI Project – Youth Mentoring
Hanna Myyrä, Project Lead
Tel. 044 4931 355
Jesse Niemelä, Project Worker
Tel. 044 901 7441
Jami Sohlman, Peer Instructor (Kouvola)
Tel. 045 7885 2723
RETS Homes (Supported Housing)
Email: retskodit@rets.fi
Anna Itkonen, Social Advisor
Tel. 044 7617 996
Oskari Ahtola, Senior Social Advisor
Tel. 050 412 4309
Leena Valtonen, Social Advisor, Housing Services
Tel. 044 7322 700
Heta Varjela, Social Advisor
Tel. 044 7800 121
Leena Oikarinen, Social Advisor
Tel. 044 7497 242
Property management (RETS apartments)
Email: aleksi.sutinen@palvelutaloisannointi.com
Tel. 040 961 8153
Housing Guidance for People Released from Prison
Mia Juselius, Senior Specialist
Tel. 050 4124 310
Redis – Peer Support Community
Email: redis@rets.fi
Jonna Vähäkuopus, Senior Instructor
Tel. 050 3229 204
Annette Stadius, Instructor
Tel. 044 7840 341
Maarit Nygård, Peer Instructor
Tel. 045 78852 261
HOOK Project – Employment Support for People with Criminal Backgrounds
Anna Vuorelainen, Project Coordinator
Tel. 044 732 2701
Juri Voijola, Project Worker
Tel. 040 5232 405
Raittila – Peer Community
Email: raittila@rets.fi
Jonna Vähäkuopus, Senior Instructor
Responsibilities: YKP, VKV, internship coordination
Tel. 050 3229 204
Elli Mäkiaho, Instructor (Available 14–18)
Tel. 044 7331 184
Mikko Paalasvuo, Peer Instructor
Info & visits (available 14–18)
Tel. 044 4939 779
Facilities
Mauri Karhu, Maintenance Technician
Tel. 050 4335 894
RETS Kouvola
Hanna Myyrä, Senior Instructor
Tel. 044 4931 355
Matti Lepola, Instructor
Tel. 044 7101 689
Jami Sohlman, Peer Instructor
Tel. 045 7885 2723
Administration
Sanna Sunikka, Chief Executive Officer
Tel. 040 5117 999
Finance
Perttu Rintamäki, Head of Administration
Tel. 044 4939 560
Communications
Tuuli Daavittila, Head of Communications
Tel. 044 7693 982
Contact Form
You can use the online contact form to reach the RETS Foundation or to provide feedback regarding our website or our activities.
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