Part of the archive is the permanent Exposition of the History of Imprisonment in Slovakia, which provides visitors with an overview of the history of the Slovak prison system. The exposition consists of one room with three thematically separated spaces, where the first space contains exhibits characterizing the history of Leopoldov prison and the older history of the prison system, and in the following two, exhibits from the modern history and present of the prison system are installed.

Among the most valuable exhibits in the Exposition of the History of Imprisonment in Slovakia currently are a Torah scroll, a Jewish religious manuscript from the 19th century that was found during construction work in a building belonging to the Leopoldov prison, bricks dating from the period of construction and later conversion of the Leopoldov fortress into a penitentiary, cell doors from the period when Leopoldov was an anti-Turkish fortress, cell doors from 1854, parts of cell doors - locks, hinges and keys, a part of the tombstone of the first designer and builder of the Leopoldov fortress, period photographs, and similar items.

Individual display cases in the exposition depict the Middle Ages and the reign of Emperor Leopold I, when the Leopoldov anti-Turkish fortress was built. Other display cases present the reign of Maria Theresa and Emperor Franz Joseph I, during whose reign the Leopoldov fortress was converted into a penitentiary. The following display cases are dedicated to the Leopoldov chapel, which was built in 1665 as the very first structure in the fortress. Other display cases house period photographs and artifacts depicting the Leopoldov prison between the years 1928 and 1950.

The older history in other areas of the exposition is complemented by the modern history and the present of the Slovak prison system. In one part of the room, prisons with a history longer than 45 years are presented, and a special display case is dedicated to the Ilava prison, as the second oldest prison in Slovakia.

Display cases dedicated to the 45th anniversary of the independent Slovak prison system, service cynology, as well as medals and decorations of the Slovak prison system in the past and present, have their place here.

Part of the exposition is focused on prisoners. On mannequins, there is presented the work clothing of a male prisoner and the prison clothing of a female prisoner, and in display cases, unauthorized activities of prisoners and various forms of their self-harm.

Visits to the exposition for the public

The Exposition of the History of Imprisonment in Slovakia is accessible to the public generally every Wednesday from 08:00 to 11:00 and from 13:00 to 15:00, based on a written request sent in sufficient time in advance to the address archivzvjs@zvjs.sk. Due to the fact that the Exposition of the History of Imprisonment in Slovakia is located in a guarded facility, the request must contain the name and surname of the entering person, date of birth, and identity card number.

Access to archival documents

The public has the right to access archival documents stored in the archive, unless the Act provides otherwise. Access is enabled by preparing research, transcripts, excerpts, confirmations, copies, by studying and publicly exhibiting archival documents. It is carried out based on a written request from the applicant, which contains the requirements in accordance with the Act on Archives and Registries.

Studying in the archive is governed by the researcher rules. An archive reading room with a capacity of four places is available to researchers.

The archive is authorized to apply restrictions on access to archival documents in accordance with the Act on Archives and Registries. When making copies of archival documents, it is possible to use your own audiovisual equipment.

The source wealth of the archive consists of archival funds in the extent of approximately 1300 linear meters. Among the most significant archival funds are the fund of personal files of former sentenced prisoners and the fund of artifacts.