Opinion | A more humane approach to prison life offers lessons for Hong Kong

The primary objective of any punishment is to rehabilitate offenders; this is also a cost-effective way to reduce recidivism. A recent site visit to Koper Prison, which was organised as part of the International Association for Suicide Prevention World Congress in Piran, Slovenia, last month, provided insights into good practices in rehabilitation and recidivism reduction.

Koper Prison is located in a lively part of the city, surrounded by supermarkets, shopping malls, and crowded streets. The prison, which has space for 110 inmates, sits conveniently in the centre of the community, and is quite integrated. Some 80 per cent of the inmates are non-Slovenian nationals from countries such as Italy, Belgium, Brazil and Russia.

Most of the men have been convicted of illegal entry and theft. The prison is very tidy and boasts rooms for exercise and leisure, a gym, a library, a store, and other facilities. Inmates are allowed two to four hours of outdoor activities per day, as required by the prison, and have the opportunity to shop twice a week.

They are allowed to purchase televisions and computers, but mobile phones are prohibited. The overall environment reflects a humanistic concern for the inmates.