Measuring social climate in prisons: methods, procedures and practice

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Monitoring the social climate in prisons in Slovenia has a long tradition, dating back to the 1980s, when it began to be carried out periodically in all prisons in Slovenia. The results of the longitudinal measurement provide insight into the situation and trends in the development and change of the institutions and their functioning. After a long tradition of regular periodic measurement of the climate in Slovenian prisons, in recent years this type of monitoring has dwindled, which means that there is no longer any possibility for a longitudinal comparison and assessment of the current system’s performance. The methodological approach used in past Slovenian social climate measurements was developed at the time of the launch of the measurements by adapting questionnaires and analyses that were internationally recognised at the time. Using the same methodological framework means the possibility of longitudinal comparability and reliability, but at the same time, it leaves aside the developments that have taken place in the intervening decades in the field of new methods of measuring the prison climate in the world and is often inadequate to use in modern society. This calls for a modernisation of the system, striking a balance between the changes required by modern approaches to research on the one hand, and maintaining the basic elements of longitudinal comparability within the Slovenian system on the other. The main objective of the project is to update the methodology and to conduct research on the social climate in Slovenian prisons, and it will be carried out in several parts: Analysis and an update of the methodological framework for the study of the social climate using quantitative and qualitative methods. Development of recommendations and a protocol for longitudinal monitoring of the social climate in penitentiary institutions. Conducting a measurement of the social climate in penitentiary and re-education institutions. The research project, divided into three thematic strands, will make a substantial contribution to a systematic approach to the perception of the social climate in penitentiary institutions and in the re-education centre, also giving original information about other conditions within these institutions. It will be a big step forward in measuring the social climate and will allow comparability with international surveys.

Project Type: Target Research Programme

Project number (SICRIS): V5-2341

Duration: 1. 10. 2023 – 30. 9. 2025

WORK PACKAGES

The project is divided into five work packages:

project management,
analysis and updating of the methodological framework for studying social climate,
development of recommendations and a protocol for longitudinal monitoring of social climate in institutions,
implementation of social climate measurement in prisons and reformatory institutions,
dissemination.

PROJECT PARTNERS

The project leader is Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana, Dr. Mojca Mihelj Plesničar.

FINANCING

The project is funded by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS) and the Ministry of Justice (MP).

PROJECT RESULTS

Original scientific articles

Ambrož, M. (2024). What are the achievements of theorising punishment? Revija za kriminalistiko in kriminologijo, 75(4), 269–276. COBISS.SI-ID 221333507.

Semi-publication articles

Smajila, B. (2024). Dealing with the state of emergency. N1. COBISS.SI-ID 211152387.
Cerar, G. (2024). Slovenian prisons are getting more overcrowded by the day, most of them filled with people smugglers. MMC RTV SLO. COBISS.SI-ID 208918275.

Published scientific papers at a conference – invited lecture

Bertok, E. (2024). Measuring prison climate in Slovenia. V zborniku konference (str. 9–30). Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research. COBISS.SI-ID 222289667.

Published abstracts of scientific papers at a conference

Bezlaj, A. (2025). Rehabilitation and security in the design of the new prison in Dobrunje. COBISS.SI-ID 228623619.

Independent scientific compositions or chapters in a monographic publication

Bertok, E. (2024). Women in prison in Slovenia. V monografski publikaciji (str. 123–144). Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research. COBISS.SI-ID 209255939.
Bezlaj, A., & Tadič, D. (2024). Interpersonal dynamics, violence and distrust in a women’s prison in Slovenia. V monografski publikaciji (str. 145–155). Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research. COBISS.SI-ID 209252355.

Mihelj Plesničar, M. (2024). Roundtable: Navigating the challenges of measuring prison climate. Druga izvedena dela. COBISS.SI-ID 232017667.
Mihelj Plesničar, M. (ur.). (2025). Congress of Criminal Law and Criminology – panel: Foreigners: Prohibited border crossing. Organizacija znanstvenega panela v okviru Kongresa kazenskega prava in kriminologije. https://www.inst-krim.si/kongres-kazenskega-prava-in-kriminologije/

Mihelj Plesničar, M., & Lipovac, D. (2025, 25. marec). Measuring prison climate. Vabljeno predavanje na Pravni fakulteti Karlove univerze, Praga, Češka.
Bezlaj, A., & Mihelj Plesničar, M. (2025, september). Methodological challenges and benefits of using qualitative methods in a prison setting. Vabljeno predavanje na 11th RC33 International Conference on Social Science Methodology, Neapelj, Italija. COBISS.SI-ID 261943299.
Bertok, E., & Mihelj Plesničar, M. (2025, 13.–15. maj). Quantitative measurement of prison climate in Slovenia. Predavanje na Correctional Research Symposium 2025, International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA).

Radio show appearance

Accetto Vranac, N., & Mihelj Plesničar, M. (2024). Slovenian prisons are bursting at the seams [Radijska oddaja]. Radio Študent. COBISS.SI-ID 208914947.