An Overview of Slovenian Penological Research since the mid-1950s

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of more than a hundred research articles and reports in the field of penology in two periods; first, from the mid-1950s to Slovenian independence in 1991, and secondly, the period after independence. Penological research and discussions in the first period dealt with problems of reintegration of prisoners into society, classification of prisoners, recidivism, assistance to juvenile offenders, work methods for dealing with prisoners and juvenile offenders, escapes of pupils from institutions, enforcement of sanctions, quality of relations in prison, work organization and education for prisoners, problems of prisoners, protection of prisoners' rights and suicidality of prisoners. In the second period, studies focused on institutional programs of work with prisoners, conditions in institutions and prisons, prison staff, probation, predicting recidivism, legitimacy of enforcement of prison sanctions and alternative sanctions. Extensive research in the field of penology should be complemented by exploring broader social factors affecting the increase in the prison population, opportunities for the establishment of probation service, prisoners' perception of legitimacy, and self-legitimacy of the prison staff in the context of studying a social climate in prisons. Furthermore, challenges for further research are a historical overview of the influence of penological research on legislation, crime and penal policy, penal practice and the development of penological theory.