New Dobrunje Prison Opens, Addressing Overcrowding and Substandard Conditions

The opening of the new Dobrunje prison marks a crucial step in addressing Slovenia's long-standing issues with prison conditions. For years, European institutions have scrutinized our nation for inadequate facilities, largely due to chronic overcrowding. This new prison is not a sign of extravagance, as some populist narratives suggest, but a necessary normalization of conditions that have fallen far below acceptable standards.

Slovenia's prison system has been straining at the seams, with the Ljubljana facility on Povšetova being particularly problematic. Despite recognizing these issues, progress on solutions has repeatedly stalled due to political populism. The narrative that the new prison is a "hotel for inmates" is a misguided attempt to derail a vital infrastructural and social improvement.

At Delo, we believe that providing decent living conditions is not a reward for committing crimes. Instead, it is a foundational element for successful rehabilitation. A humane environment is essential for individuals to reflect, reform, and prepare for reintegration into society upon completing their sentences. This facility represents a commitment to those principles, aiming to correct systemic errors and uphold human dignity within the correctional system.

“

It is not a luxury, but a normalization of conditions that have long been below any standard.