The Finnish (or Nordic) system operates on the principle on rehabilitating inmates by reintegrating them into society, they do not confine them to a “typical” prison cell like those common in America (instead it’s akin to a college dorm with amenities). There are videos talking about the Nordic prison system you can look up to get the picture.
It’s the same with Norway: as they know that “keeping inmates in a cage beating and abusing them” doesn’t help, instead rehabilities them. (Look up Halden Prison) I mean, why is it that Finland manages to maintain a low recidivism rate while it barely scratches that in the United States?
A criminal is at their lowest point of their life, so it only makes sense to try to provide them with the means to get up. Why keep them down, strip them of all their humanity? I think we just believe that people can change and improve so they are given some help.