History of the Prison

The prison in Želiezovce was established on 18 December 1952. The creation of a Correctional Labour Camp in the Želiezovce area was driven by a shortage of labour, especially in agriculture. Initially, the institution was dispersed across four locations. The main unit was based at the Karolína farm, which also housed the staff quarters. A satellite unit operated at the Veľký Dvor farm, another in Nýrovce, and a fourth in Belá near Štúrovo, where men assigned to the first correctional group were placed. The three female prison units housed women serving sentences for criminal and anti-state offences. Women convicted of anti-state crimes were housed at Veľký Dvor, those serving long sentences for criminal offences in Nýrovce, and repeat offenders in Karolína. During the summer, female prisoners worked mainly on state-owned agricultural farms, both in crop and livestock production. Supervision was provided by prison officers and industrial guards. In 1956, the Karolína and Nýrovce branches were closed and a single main unit was established at Veľký Dvor.

A significant change occurred in 1966 when female prisoners were relocated, and male prisoners sentenced to the first correctional group began serving their sentences in the institution. At first, their employment was similar to that of the women—primarily in agriculture—but they were gradually assigned to construction and industrial work. In 1967, the Jarok branch was opened as an experimental unit for male prisoners convicted of offences committed through negligence. This experimental facility, the first of its kind in Czechoslovakia, became a precursor to today’s open units. Despite its positive results, the Jarok branch was closed in 1979.

Over time, the institution shifted its focus to accommodating prisoners classified in the second correctional group, a goal which was fully realised in 1987.

The Present

The current capacity of the institution is 742 sentenced male prisoners, of whom 690 are placed under the medium security level and 52 under the minimum security level at the Open Unit Sabová.

In addition to standard treatment programmes, the prison operates several specialized units: a specialized treatment unit, a high-security unit (which includes a de-escalation room), and a pre-release unit.

The pre-release unit was established under the national project Chance for Return, financed by the European Social Fund. The project's main objective is the resocialization and active reintegration of prisoners into society and the labour market, as well as improving their access to social services.

As part of cultural and educational activities, five interest clubs are active within the institution. Lectures, discussions, performances, and concerts are regularly organized for prisoners, often featuring well-known figures from cultural and public life. Prisoners also have access to a prison library, which currently holds more than 9,000 titles of various genres.

In the field of education, the prison cooperates with educational organizations to offer retraining courses focused on basic computer skills and the maintenance of public greenery. An alphabetization course is offered for illiterate prisoners, and a Slovak language course is provided for foreign nationals or those of non-Slovak ethnicity. Starting in the 2025/2026 school year, the institution plans to launch vocational training in the three-year programme Farm Mechanic in cooperation with the Secondary Vocational School of Agriculture and Rural Services in Levice.

Spiritual care is provided to prisoners, officers, and staff through a prison chaplain, a prison pastor, and volunteers—representatives of various churches and religious communities.

Employment of prisoners is one of the core rehabilitative tools used in the treatment process. The institution ensures employment through cooperation with various business partners at seven work sites, both within and outside the prison. In addition, some prisoners are assigned to internal maintenance tasks and to the prison’s industry centres.

Training Centre Santovka

At the turn of 1967–1968, a lodge was built in the scenic spa setting of the village of Santovka. It was used as a Training Centre of the Corps of Prison and Court Guard for various professional trainings, advanced courses, consultations, and children’s recreational stays during holiday periods. The Training Centre and Open Unit based in Santovka were officially closed on 31 December 2012. From 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014, the Santovka premises were used for children's recreational stays during the holiday season. Following construction modifications carried out in 2012, the accommodation capacity of the facility was adjusted to 62 beds. On 1 January 2015, the facility was reopened for operation, without the re-establishment of an open unit. As of 1 January 2016, based on an order issued by the Director General, the Training Centre of the Corps of Prison and Court Guard was re-established at the site. It is now used for professional training of prison officers and employees, various courses, and other activities of the ministry. The current accommodation capacity of the centre is 60 beds.

Open Unit Sabová

As of 1 January 1999, based on an order issued by the Minister of Justice, the Open and Semi-Open Unit Rimavská Sobota – Sabová was incorporated into the institution. This unit was dissolved on 31 July 2006. Effective 1 August 2006, by order of the Director General, the Open Unit Sabová was established with an accommodation capacity of 79 sentenced prisoners classified under the minimum security level. The current accommodation capacity is 52 sentenced prisoners under the minimum security level.

Social Programme

The institution offers accommodation options for prison officers and employees of the Corps who come from more distant locations, as well as for guests and visitors. For this purpose, a transit accommodation facility is available directly on the prison premises, along with a 12-unit residential building in the town of Želiezovce, which includes both service flats and independent housing units for staff. In the town of Rimavská Sobota, a 13-unit residential building is available for staff assigned to the Open Unit Sabová. Facilities available to staff include a multifunctional sports field, a gym, a sauna, and a therapeutic room equipped with a massage chair. An NGO, the Sports Club of the Prison in Želiezovce, operates at the institution and organizes various sports activities and competitions for staff. In cooperation with the trade union, the institution also organizes various leisure activities, trips, sports and cultural events, and formal balls for staff.

International Cooperation

As part of its international cooperation, the institution has signed a cooperation agreement with the Rapotice Prison in the Czech Republic.