EXPECTING a greater number of convicts after stricter penalties for violent crimes come into effect, a prison in the western Slovak town Leopoldov is in the process of expanding its capacity by 500 inmates by the end of next year.
When they took office in October this year, the country's Interior and Justice Ministers pledged to introduce stricter penalties for violent offenders, a measure they hope will persuade some hardcore criminals not to lead a life of crime.
After the reconstruction of Leopoldov prison is completed, hundreds of the most serious offenders will be jailed there.
The capacity of Slovak prisons is now at about 9,400, while there are currently less than 8,000 convicts in jail. Around 200 Slovak convicts are women and the rest are men.
