Ismail Dibrani, director general of the Kosovo Correctional Service, today signed two key documents: the code of conduct for prisoners and guidelines clarifying the criteria for granting convicted persons leave outside correctional facilities.

These new measures aim to improve standards in the areas of security, order and discipline inside prisons. They provide a clearer and more uniform methodology both for managing the prison population and for mechanisms that promote rehabilitation and prepare inmates to return to society.

The code of conduct establishes the behavioral norms and standards required of prisoners and remand detainees throughout their stay at the institution. Emphasis is placed on complying with rules of order, maintaining appropriate communication with staff and fellow inmates, rejecting violence, threats or fights, respecting the dignity and freedoms of others, and actively engaging in security, rehabilitation and reintegration procedures.

As for the guidelines on leave outside prison, the document details the application procedure and the assessment of the criteria for obtaining this right. The assessment is conducted in an individualized, impartial and professional manner, based on measurable and verifiable facts and a risk analysis.

The review takes into account the nature of the criminal offense committed, the inmate’s attitude toward it, his conduct while serving his sentence, the level of compliance with internal discipline, participation in rehabilitation programs, the degree of responsibility and reliability demonstrated, the risk he poses to community safety, the likelihood of reoffending, his history of escape attempts, as well as the family context and support.

This assessment process is led by a multidisciplinary team. After weighing all the relevant criteria, factors and circumstances, the team conducts an interview with the inmate and then recommends to the prison director whether to approve or reject the request. The final decision is based on a reasoned assessment and current legislation.

Through these actions, the Kosovo Correctional Service is further modernizing professional standards inside prisons, placing security and discipline at the center while also maintaining a focus on rehabilitation, individual accountability and preparing convicted persons for an orderly life after release.

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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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