This master’s thesis examines the experience of remand or detention in Slovenia from the perspective of those who have undergone it. Detainees constitute a significant and growing proportion of the total incarcerated population, yet their lived experiences and the consequences of facing one of the penal system’s strictest regimes remain relatively under-researched. The aim of the thesis was to determine how individuals experience daily life in remand, where they find meaning, how remand affects their identity and sense of dignity, and what improvements towards greater normalization might be possible within existing legal frameworks. The study drew upon theoretical concepts such as “total institutions”, “the pains of imprisonment”, normalization, the search for meaning in life, identity transformation during remand, and the importance of purposeful activities. The empirical part consists of thirteen semi-structured interviews with convicted individuals who had spent time in remand prior to serving their prison sentences. The results indicate that remand is primarily experienced as a sudden disruption of ordinary life, a period of uncertain waiting, and a time of severely restricted autonomy. Protracted proceedings, a lack of information, limited contact with others, and, above all, a lack of meaningful activities increases monotony, negative thoughts, and the feeling of wasted time. Interviewees most frequently find meaning in relationships with loved ones and other inmates, contact with the outside world, daily routines, and creative, athletic and educational activities. Remand also impinges upon an individual’s roles within the family, as a parent, as a partner, and in the workplace, while exposing them to stigma; their dignity is primarily threatened by the loss of privacy, dependence on others and unequal power dynamics. A positive finding is that, according to the interviewees, basic needs and medical care are generally well met; however, material conditions alone are insufficient to ensure a humane remand experience. Greater normalization could be achieved through longer periods with cell doors open, increased supervised movement, a variety of voluntary activities, better utilization of outdoor areas, easier maintenance of contact with the outside world, and more predictable professional support. This work contributes to a socio-pedagogical understanding of remand as a space for living and relationships, where – alongside security – autonomy, participation, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for meaningful activity are also crucial.
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