Slovenia: a snapshot of prison health

In Slovenia, syringe exchange is needed in prisons. The first needle-exchange programmes in the community were established 20 years ago. Owing to legal barriers, such programmes have not been implemented in prisons, although experts strongly agree on the need for them. The prevalence of HIV is very low among injecting drug users in society, and in prison specifically, but hepatitis C remains a concern for policy-makers and experts.

Social reintegration

The release of prisoners back into society also needs attention. Slovenian prisons have good primary prevention, substitution therapy and drug free units, but further efforts are needed to support post-release assistance.

National strategy

The Government of Slovenia adopted a new national strategy for the prevention of HIV for 2010–2015. It allows concrete and specific actions in this area and involves all crucial stakeholders in its implementation.

Facts and figures:

• Total country population (2010): 2 million
• Average number of prisoners (2010): 1373.7
• Overcrowding (2010): 29%
• HIV cases: 1
• tuberculosis cases: 0
• Hepatitis B cases: 11
• Hepatitis C cases: 60

Information provided by:
Evita Leskovsek
Head, Unit of Mental Health, Security and Other Key Issues, Institute of Public Health (WHO Health in Prisons coordinator, HIV/AIDS prevention coordinator)