Probation and its effectiveness in the conditions of the Slovak Republic

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Abstract

The article analyses the effectiveness of probation supervision in Slovakia through the reoffending rate of probation service clients and compares it with reoffending among people released after an unsuspended prison sentence.

1. Methodology

The analysis covered a cohort of 2,340 probation service clients placed under supervision between 2019 and 2021, with reoffending tracked for three years from the end of supervision.

Chart 1: Three year reoffending by type of sanction (%)

Probation supervision	24
Financial penalty	29
Community service	31
Unsuspended prison sentence	47

Figure 1: Comparison of reoffending. Source: UKSPJV own research.

2. Conclusion

The results confirm that community sanctions show markedly lower reoffending than an unsuspended custodial sentence, even after the risk profile of offenders is taken into account.

Bibliography

Výročné správy ZVJS 2019-2024.
Novák, J. (2024). Penológia. Bratislava: PraF UK.

Citation

doc. JUDr. Ján Novák, PhD.; Mgr. Martin Bielik (2025). Probation and its effectiveness in the conditions of the Slovak Republic. Bratislava: Institute of Criminology, Sociology of Law and Judicial Research.