Working for Moral Improvement Interpretations of Institutionalised Vagrant Women in Finland During and After the Second World War

ABSTRACT Through a focus on women's vagrancy in the metropolitan area of Finland during and after the Second World War (1942–1947), this article analyses the different kinds of information which were produced about vagrant women by correctional labour facilities. This rich source material is navigated in line with the following fundamental question: Who is speaking? Such analysis shows that work could help women to escape their vagrant status, given the demand for the workforce. The work performance was evaluated not only in the correctional labour facilities, but also in the world outside.