History of the Slovenian Penological Research

• In Event: Balkan Criminology Penology Panel - Special Panel Celebrating 25 Years of ESC

Abstract

The penological research in Slovenia can be divided into two periods: (1) the period before 1991 when Slovenia was one of the federal republics of socialist Yugoslavia, and (2) the period after 1991 when Slovenia democratised after gaining its independence. A literature review revealed that over 100 penological studies have been conducted in the last 70 years, focusing on the prisoners’ reintegration, classification of prisoners, recidivism, various forms of assistance to juvenile offenders, work methods in prisons and correctional homes, escapes from correctional institutions, enforcement of criminal sanctions, social climate, organization of work and education of prisoners, problems of detainees, protection of prisoners’ rights, suicides in prisons, conditions in correctional institutions and prisons, prison staff, alternative sanctions, and legitimacy in the prison environment. In the future, penological research should focus on in-depth research using mixed methods of legitimacy in prisons and prisoners’ recidivism, as well as the continuation of a longitudinal study measuring social climate.

Authors

• Gorazd Meško, University of Maribor

• Rok Hacin, University of Maribor