The facility in question will be used for prisoners coming from the Kingdom of Denmark.

The Chamber of Advocates has announced that it has been informed by the Kosovo Correctional Service about the start of the process to close this center, as well as the relocation of the people who had been held there to other correctional institutions.

“The Kosovo Chamber of Advocates has been officially notified by the Kosovo Correctional Service that the process of closing the Gjilan Detention Center has begun, within the framework of implementing the treaty between the Republic of Kosovo and the Kingdom of Denmark on the use of this facility for the execution of sentences imposed by the Danish authorities. According to the official notification, the gradual transfer of persons deprived of liberty from the Gjilan Detention Center to other correctional institutions has already begun, a process that will be carried out in phases, in accordance with security assessments, accommodation capacities, and the operational needs of the Kosovo Correctional Service,” the statement said.

In 2022, Kosovo and Denmark signed a 10-year agreement on the transfer of prisoners from the Nordic state. Under it, Denmark will lease 300 prison cells in Gjilan, while Kosovo will benefit by more than 200 million euros.

The agreement stipulates that the prisoners to be sent from Denmark to Kosovo must not have been convicted of serious crimes, must not have sentences longer than 10 years, and must not have mental health problems.

This plan has faced opposition in Denmark and was suspended for a period due to allegations of human rights violations.

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According to it, the facility in Gjilan will be used as part of the agreement concerning prisoners from the Kingdom of Denmark.

“The Kosovo Chamber of Advocates has been officially informed by the Kosovo Correctional Service that the process of closing the Detention Center in Gjilan has begun, as part of the implementation of the treaty between the Republic of Kosovo and the Kingdom of Denmark on the use of this facility for the execution of sentences handed down by the Danish authorities. According to the official notice, the gradual transfer of persons deprived of liberty from the Detention Center in Gjilan to other correctional institutions has already begun, a process that will be carried out in phases, in line with security assessments, accommodation capacities and the operational needs of the Kosovo Correctional Service,” the statement said.

The Chamber of Advocates clarified that it is issuing this notice in order to inform the legal community in a timely manner and to help facilitate communication with clients during the transition period.

In 2022, Kosovo and Denmark signed a 10-year agreement on the transfer of prisoners from the Nordic state. The agreement stipulates that Denmark will rent 300 prison cells in Gjilan, while Kosovo will benefit by more than 200 million euros.

Also under the agreement, prisoners convicted of serious crimes, with sentences of more than 10 years, as well as people with mental health problems, will not be transferred to Kosovo.

This plan has faced opposition in Denmark and was also suspended for a period following claims of human rights violations.

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According to him, the prisoners will be housed in Gjilan Prison, where Danish house rules will be applied.

Explaining how the institution will function, Dibrani said the prison will be administered through a form of joint governance. He clarified that it will be led by a Danish governor and a Kosovar director, while security will be handled by Kosovar staff, namely the officers working there.

He stressed that these officers are undergoing basic training in Denmark. According to him, the first group has already completed this training, while the second group of correctional officers from Gjilan is currently there continuing preparations based on the rules of the Danish system.

Regarding the benefits of the agreement, Dibrani said that, in addition to the financial aspect of around 210 million euros, Kosovo will also benefit from the experience and best practices of Denmark’s correctional system, which he described as among the most advanced in the world.

Denmark signed this agreement with Kosovo in April 2022, with the aim of transferring 300 prisoners to Kosovo as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding in Danish prisons.

In an interview with Ekonomia Online, Dibrani also spoke about the KCS’s priorities for this year, highlighting as the main goal the strengthening of the economic unit, which he considers a pillar for the institution’s economic development.

He also underlined that special attention will be paid to people with special needs, with particular emphasis on mental health.

Dibrani said that the Kosovo Correctional Service is now regarded as a model not only in the region, but also in Europe and beyond. According to him, in the last year alone this institution has been honored with two international excellence awards.

He recalled that last year the KCS was awarded by the International Prisons Organization for reform in rehabilitation programs and healthcare treatment, while this year it was recognized by the European Prison Network for reform in rehabilitation programs, ranking among the five best countries.

According to him, as part of the focus on people with special needs, an institution for their treatment has already been established and the expansion of capacities at the Institute of Forensic Psychiatry has also begun.

Regarding allegations of mistreatment in correctional institutions, Dibrani said that although there have been minor complaints and isolated cases, no substantiated case has been confirmed.

He added that neither local nor international organizations have identified such cases, and mentioned that last year’s progress report also recorded no cases of mistreatment of persons held in Kosovo’s correctional institutions.

Dibrani also said that there are currently 1,744 people in correctional institutions.

Of this number, he explained that 1,100 are convicted prisoners, while a little over 500 are detainees. According to him, these figures have remained roughly similar over the years, with 1,000 to 1,100 convicted prisoners and 600-500 detainees.

He also said that the number of juveniles, including the juvenile detention center, the center with educational measures and the correctional center, remains around 50-60 people.

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