Education in Slovenia’s Prisons

Case study: Prison Dob

Nina Novak

Malta, 24. - 28. 9. 2012

OutlineOutline

1. Facts about Slovenia

2. Organization of Prison System

3. Education

3. 1. Legal Framework

3. 2. Education in Prison Dob

4. A call for reform

1. Some facts about Slovenia1. Some facts about Slovenia Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps

meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meets the Karst.

20,273 km2, Population of 2,052,000,

2.2. Organization of Prison SystemOrganization of Prison System

Prison Administration established in 1995 is led by Director General, who is responsible to the Minister of Justice.

Prisons are internal organizational units led by the Governors.

The education is carried out by the Ministry of Justice and its internal organizational units.

3. Prison Dob3. Prison Dob

3. Education3. Education3. 1. Legal Framework

Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions Act, Article 16 Prisoners should be enabled, in accordance with the possibilities of

the prison, to complete primary schooling and vocational training. Education specified in the personal plan, has the same status as work.

Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions Act, Article 56 Prisoner who is working gets 2 days of vacation per month and up

to six additional days a year which depend on motivation and constancy.

Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions Act, Article 104 After inmates end the education they get the certificate where should

not be evident, that the person finished the education in the prison.

Prison Rules, Article 75 Within the possibility the prison enables inmates to learn to read

and write and to complete their primary schooling and vocational training while serving their prison sentence.

Prison Rules, Article 76 Inmates can also educate at educational organizations and

institutions outside the prison provided if this is in accordance with their personal plan.

The costs of schooling as referred to in the first paragraph of this article shall be paid by the inmates themselves

Prison Rules, Article 77 A member of staff in the education department shall arrange study

matters, verify attendance at lectures and consultations, and monitor the students‘ results.

Prison Rules, Article 78 (Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions Act, Article 104) Inmates applying themselves in their education and achieving good

results may have their work time reduced by the prison governor at the proposal of the expert group. The prison governor can permit inmates studying at educational institutions outside the prison to be absent from work in order to take exams and to prepare a diploma dissertation.

3. 2. Education in Prison Dob3. 2. Education in Prison Dob

Prisoners by education

Without education

Unfinished primaryschool

Primary education

Unfinished secondaryschool

Secondary education

College, University

Primary school - Centre for Education and Culture Trebnje

Number of prisoners included in primary school

0

10

20

30

40

50

2010 2011 Until sept. 2012

Secondary school - Centre for Permanent Education Cene Štupar

Number of prisoners included in high school

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2010 2011 Until sept. 2012

High Vocational College, Faculty

Number of prisoners included in undergraduate study

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

2010 2011 Until sept. 2012

National Vocational Qualifiations

“ A national vocational qualification (NVQ) is a formally recognised work-related, competence-based qualification, which reflects the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively and shows that a candidate is competent in an area of work/…/”.

An NVQ is shown by a public document – a certificate.

- NVQ Designer of Websites in 2009- NVQ Dietary Cook, NVQ Masseur, NVQ Cleaner in

2012

Informal educationInformal education

Language courses (English, Italian) Lifelong Learning programmes (Bridge to Education,

Challenges of Country, My Workplace, My step) Informal programme for foreigners (I live and work

in Slovenia) Computer courses

5. A call for reform5. A call for reform

Different practices in prisons>> education should be carried out by the Ministry of education, sport and culture

Financial crisis>>>pressures to minimize costs

Thank you for your attention!