1. Self-legitimacy of prison workers : a comparative study in Slovenian prisonsRok Hacin, Gorazd Meško, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Building legitimacy in a coercive prison environment presents a significant challenge for prisonworkers. Drawing on data from a survey of 465 Slovenian prison workers collected in 2016and 2022, this study aims to test the stability of prison workers’ sense of self-legitimacy, asprior research strongly suggests that the nature of such legitimacy is fundamentally unstable.Multivariate analyses showed that relationships with prisoners and the internalisation of subcul-tural norms influenced the self-legitimacy of prison workers in both periods studied.Relationships with colleagues, satisfaction with pay, and with workplace conditions also influencedprison workers’ self-legitimacy in 2016, and education and years of service proved salient in 2022.Results indicate that traditional ‘core variables’ (relationships with colleagues, supervisors’ proced-ural justice, and audience legitimacy) used to explore legitimacy in criminal justice have limitedinfluence on prison workers’ self-legitimacy. Significant differences were also found in prisonworkers’ perceptions of self-legitimacy, audience legitimacy, and prison staff subculture in differenttime periods. Overall, the findings reported here suggest that the self-legitimacy of prison workersis relatively unstable over time. The implications of these findings for both theory and practice areexplored.
Keywords: comparative study, prison workers, relationships, self-legitimacy, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 19.01.2026; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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2. Self-legitimacy of prison workers and treatment of correctional clients : a study in Slovenian prisonsRok Hacin, Gorazd Meško, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Studies on self-legitimacy in the prison environment have confirmed the differences in prison workers’ perceptions of their own legitimacy in different cultural settings. This study focuses on factors influencing prison workers’ self-legitimacy and their support of the specific treatment of correctional clients in Slovenian prisons. The results highlighted good relations with correctional clients, satisfaction with payment, internalization of subcultural norms, higher education, and positive perception of workplace (professional) competencies as correlates of prison workers’ self-legitimacy. Prison workers’ support of the resocialization of correctional clients was influenced by their feelings of obligation toward correctional clients, rejection of prison subculture norms, and gender, female prison workers being more inclined toward resocialization. In contrast, lack of cooperation between prison services, bad relations with correctional clients, and lower levels of achieved education were associated with prison workers’ support of the harsh treatment of correctional clients. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Keywords: self-legitimacy, resocialization, prison workers, correctional clients, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 19.01.2026; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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3. Legitimacy and relations in Slovene prisons : views of female and male prisonerGorazd Meško, Rok Hacin, 2024, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Studies have shown that incarceration presents a greater intervention in women’s lives compared
to men. This chapter focuses on the comparison of perceived legitimacy and relations between
female and male prisoners in Slovene prisons. Results of statistical analyses based on a national
sample of prisoners (252 male prisoners and 20 female prisoners) highlighted the differences
between female and male prisoners’ feelings of obligation to obey the prison staff and
internalisation of subcultural norms, while no statistically significant differences were identified
with other tested factors: legitimacy, trust in authority, procedural justice, distributive justice,
effectiveness of the prison staff, cooperation with the prison staff, relations with the prison staff,
and relations with prisoners. It seems that female prisoners are more willing to obey prison
workers and are less inclined towards prison subculture. Findings indicate that the quality of
treatment of prisoners is invariant in all Slovenian prisons. The implications of these findings are
discussed.
Keywords: legitimacy, relations, prison, differences, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 19.01.2026; Views: 0; Downloads: 0 |
4. How the use of fees, fines and bail have been used to criminalize poverty : can reforms help put the genie back in the bottle?Thomas Allan Heller, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The rallying cry of many American politicians is Law and Order. This tactic wins votes. As a result of its Wars on Crime, Drugs, and the Impoverished, America has the highest rate of incarceration in the world. This article explores how, over the past few decades, politicians have charged criminal defendants every imaginable fee and fine as they wind their way through the criminal justice system in order to fund the massive prison complex that the politicians do not want to tax Americans for. These tactics have criminalized poverty, as they disproportionately impact the most marginalized in American society. These abusive and unfair tactics have drawn scrutiny from policymakers in recent years, including the American Bar Association, which adopted stringent guidelines to help inform policymakers of this critical problem in an effort to reign in the abusive use of fees and fines. The paper discusses recent reforms, many at the urging of the Department of Justice, Office for Access to Justice, in conjunction with the ABA. It discusses the main Supreme Court cases that considered the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment.
Keywords: excessive criminal fees and fines, mass incarceration, prison reform, criminalization of the poor, eighth amendment jurisprudence, criminal justice reform
Published in DKUM: 13.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
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5. Overview of inmates' treatment in SloveniaDanijela Frangež, Jerneja Šifrer, 2010, review article Abstract: Purpose:
The purpose of this article is to present an overview of inmates’ treatment in Slovenia. After the introduction a brief discussion of terms is presented. The overview then takes a historical focus followed by a more detailed description of current treatment in Slovenia.
Design/Methodology/Approach:
The paper is based on a literature review and on a conducted interview.
Findings:
Slovenian penal institutions are dominated by compromise between treatment and punishment policy. The treatment, however, can be implemented only to the degree that is permitted by the security measurements in the penal institution. Therefore, Slovenia was and still is confronted with a question: what kind of punishment and inmates’ treatment practice would be most effective?
Research limitations/implications:
The lack of literature on inmates’ treatment in Slovenia published in recent years was the main issue the authors have to deal with. Therefore the interview with treatment personnel was conducted.
Practical implications:
Taking into account a chronological overview of inmates’ treatment in Slovenia, the paper reflects the inmates’ treatment in Slovenian society today.
Originality/Value:
This paper attempts to provide a broad overview of Slovenian treatment of inmates. It may be important to non-academic policy makers, students as to academics interested in gaining some knowledge about Slovenia’s past and present prison treatment policies.
Keywords: treatment, rehabilitation, resocialization, inmates, prison, Slovenia
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Published in DKUM: 12.05.2020; Views: 1082; Downloads: 54
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6. Prisoner rehabilitation in SerbiaŽelimir Kešetović, Biljana Simeunović-Patić, 2010, review article Abstract: Purpose:
The paper gives a brief overview of the history and past developments of prison rehabilitation in the Republic of Serbia, as well as a more detailed description of present situation in the domain of the execution of institutional penal sanctions, in both normative and practical aspects.
Design/Methodology/Approach:
For the purpose of the analysis, legislative documents were taken into account, as well as official data and reports of the Prison Administration of the Ministry of Justice and NGOs reports.
Findings:
The new treatment concept is based on the latest scientific achievements on crime and experiences of modern and developed penal systems Europe-wide. It is primarily focused on better classification of convicted persons by the level of risk, individual characteristics, needs and ability to adopt positive interventions through the penal system. Particularly important is that external control of work of penal institutions is provided, through the institution of Protector of Citizens. However there is still need of further developments in the domains of prison rehabilitation/treatments, and particularly of aftercare and post-penal assistance, in order to reach the substantial improvements in ex-prisoners’ social inclusion, reduction re-offending rates and crime prevention.
Research limitations/implications:
More reliable conclusions on overall effects of prison rehabilitations could be derived only on the basis of particularly tailored comprehensive longitudinal research. Rather new legislation and ongoing reform of the concept of prison administration are objective external research limitations.
Practical implications:
This paper emphasises the importance of after care and post-penal assistance as a problem that should be addressed in comprehensive manner by Ministry of Justice, together with other relevant ministries and agencies in Serbian government.
Originality/Value:
This paper is among few attempts of Serbian prisoner rehabilitation evaluation.
Keywords: prison system, prisoner, rehabilitation, execution of penal sanctions, Serbia
Published in DKUM: 12.05.2020; Views: 1085; Downloads: 42
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7. Prisoners' rehabilitation in Hungary : struggling ideals, lacking resourcesDavid Vig, 2010, review article Abstract: Purpose:
This paper examines the development of ideal prisoner rehabilitation in a historical and legal point of view. The concept of rehabilitation is not only examined in legal texts and official documents. Furthermore the activity of the prison administration is also examined and the paper presents practical examples.
Design/Methodology/Approach:
The analysis mainly takes into account the primary and the secondary legislation although in order to illustrate different points, statistical figures, research reports and interviews with members of staff and experts are also used. The article starts with legislation from the 19th century and examines all prison legislation up to the present, focusing particularly on prisoner rehabilitation. The analysis covers the examination of the struggling ideals in prison policy.
Findings:
The article concludes that after 20 years of democracy there is no steady and predictable prison policy. The principles of the reforms are not clear, the struggling ideals and lack of resources prevent the prison system from fundamental reforms. Although a lot of progress has been made, there is still space for improvement in the field of rehabilitation.
Research limitations:
The prison system is measured mostly by quantitative methods and the data is sometimes not available publicly. This ‘restricted access’ to information and the discrepancy between the ‘law in practice’ and the ‘written law’ on which a great part of the examination is based may lead to a slightly different picture of reality. This was eased with ‘soft’ research methods as consultations with experts.
Practical implications:
The main policy recommendations are that there is a need for a steady and predictable prison policy but not necessarily by more funding, rather the concentration of resources for convicted offenders whose liberty has to be deprived necessarily. This could be reached by a decrease in the prison population and the use of alternative sanctions.
Originality/Value:
Prisoner rehabilitation is scrutinized from the historical perspective and the related information is compared to the written law.
Keywords: prisoner, rehabilitation, prison policy, prison system, Hungary
Published in DKUM: 12.05.2020; Views: 929; Downloads: 62
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8. Comparison of self-legitimacy of the prison staff and prisoner's perceptions of prison staff legitimacy : doctoral dissertationRok Hacin, 2018, doctoral dissertation Abstract: Currently, many discussions are held around the world regarding legitimacy of criminal justice systems. The dual nature of legitimacy in prison consists of prisoner’s perceptions of legitimacy and self-legitimacy of the prison staff. Legitimacy of prison staff is defined as the ability of prison workers to implement their authority in an honest, lawful and just manner, while prisoners acknowledge their status as eligible power-holders who deserve to be obeyed and to comply with their decision. Self-legitimacy of the prison staff is defined as the belief of prison workers that their position in prison and the power entrusted to them is in accordance with fundamental moral norms of the society and a sense of self-confidence, in terms of awareness of their abilities to perform tasks within the prison environment. In this dissertation, answers to two fundamental questions were sought: 1) Which factors influence prisoner’s perceptions of legitimacy of the prison staff in Slovenian prisons? and 2) Which factors influence self-legitimacy of the prison staff in Slovenian prisons? Mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative research were used in order to improve the validity and the reliability of results, which are based on more solid evidence obtained by reducing disparities between the collected data and the findings. Results revealed that prisoner’s perceptions of legitimacy is influenced by: 1) distributive justice, 2) obligation to obey, 3) relations with prisoners, 4) relations with the prison staff, 5) procedural justice, 6) age, 7) effectiveness of the prison staff, 8) the prison regime, and 9) trust in authority. Moreover, prisoner’s perceptions of legitimacy of the prison staff in more liberal regimes was more positive. Results revealed that prison staff’s perceptions of self-legitimacy is influenced by: 1) education, 2) relations with colleagues, 3) relations with prisoners, 4) supervisors’ procedural justice, 5) age, 6) subculture of the prison staff, 7) satisfaction with salary, and 8) audience (prisoners) legitimacy. Contrary to expectations, self-legitimacy of the prison staff has a positive impact on the willingness of prison workers to use force against prisoners. These findings confirmed the theoretical assumption in the dual model of legitimacy of linking the role of relations between prisoners and prison workers in Slovenian prisons, and enabled the formulation of suggestions for improvement of the current situation in the field of legitimacy in Slovenian prisons.
Keywords: legitimacy, prison staff, prisoners, self-legitimacy, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 14.05.2018; Views: 2747; Downloads: 433
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9. Penitentiary institution in BarMirko Mugoša, 2015, master's thesis Abstract: This Master's Dissertation offers an idea for a new penitentiary institution in Bar. The idea is based on an analysis of the current situation in Montenegro, regarding the capacity and conditions in existing prisons. The results of these analyses pinpointed the location of the new facility, as well as the conceptual approach in design. The concept relies on new trends in designing of prison facilities that focus on rehabilitation rather than emphasizing punishment. Architects play an important role in creating such a space, where good design helps in improving society and serves them. A Penitentiary institution offers a unique space: specially designed prison cells, common areas for sports, education, religion and work, courtyards and spaces to interact with employees. Such an environment is used to achieve objectives such as rehabilitation and peaceful coexistence, promote human rights and enrich society, as well as to prepare prisoners for life after prison.
Keywords: prison, rehabilitation, Bar, architecture, connection, city enviroment
Published in DKUM: 20.11.2015; Views: 1474; Downloads: 320
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10. Prisoner rehabilitation in CroatiaIrma Kovčo Vukadin, Vladimira Žakman-Ban, Anita Jandrić Nišević, 2010, review article Abstract: Namen prispevka:
This paper gives an analitical overview of historical development and contemporary picture of the concept of prisoner rehabilitation in Croatia within current crime and punishment perspective.
Metodologija:
For the purpose of the analysis, legislative documents were taken into account, as well as data on crime and punishment (Croatian Bureau of Statistics) and Ministry of justice and Ombudsman reports.
Ugotovitve:
The authors have found that Croatia has a modern legal frame for meeting all internationally recognized prerequisits for prisoners’ rehabilitation and reintegration but has to solve overcrowding as the main source of many problems in organizing adequate prison life for prisoners and also for the staff. Adequate staffing and incorporation of evaluation plans in special rehabilitation programs were also pointed out as important tasks.
Omejitve raziskave:
Examination of history of prisoner rehabilitation is sometimes problematic while the laws were rehabilitation oriented (on declarative level) but those who experienced that „law in action“ rarely agreed with that declaration. This may also be the result of different meaning of the term „rehabilitation“ (specially for certain types of prisoners) in different political climates.
Praktična uporabnost:
This paper showed that concept of rehabilitation may vary at definition level. Also, it prooved that some current elements of the execution of prison sentence (as a part of rehabilitation) have a long history.
Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka:
This paper provides a first attempt (to authors knowledge) of Croatian prisoner rehabilitation evaluation.
Keywords: prisoner rehabilitation, prison system, special rehabilitation programs, Croatia
Published in DKUM: 04.06.2012; Views: 2166; Downloads: 80
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