Prishtina, March 7, 2025
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, and the Deputy Minister, Blerim Sallahu, participated in the graduation ceremony of the 45th generation of Correctional Officers.
On this special day, Prime Minister Kurti said that, today, apart from being a mere ceremony, the graduation of 111 cadets is proof of our commitment to a strong, safe and fair correctional system.
“With the graduation of the 45th generation of Correctional Officers, we further strengthen our correctional system and add trained professionals to its ranks. They will be guarantors of justice and order in our correctional institutions,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that work in the correctional system is necessary, and through the reforms undertaken in recent years, important steps have been taken in strengthening security, rehabilitating prisoners, improving working conditions for correctional officers, investing in infrastructure, strengthening specialized units, and expanding rehabilitation programs for prisoners.
Some of the results mentioned include an increase in the number of prevented smuggling cases, the expansion of rehabilitation programs, increased security within correctional institutions thanks to the strengthening of the Intelligence Unit, the Economic Unit, and the Unit for the Assessment and Classification of Prisoners, new employment opportunities for prisoners in public and private companies, progress in gender equality by increasing the number of women in the Correctional Service, and respect for the rights of prisoners, including increasing the number of days allowed for weekends at home and allowing food packages.
Meanwhile, addressing the graduates, the Prime Minister stated that, in addition to maintaining order, they must also contribute to the rehabilitation and resocialization of those in the hands of the correctional system. For this reason, professionalism, ethics and high commitment are required from them.
“The Government of the Republic of Kosovo will continue to support the strengthening of the Correctional Service and all officials who contribute to this field. Security, justice and the rule of law are the pillars of a strong, stable and democratic state, and you, starting today, are part of this very important pillar”, concluded the Prime Minister, wishing the graduates success in their professional journey and thanking them for the commitment they have made to serve our country with honor and dignity.
Full speech by Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Minister of Justice, Ms. Albulena Haxhiu,
Honorable Deputy Minister, Mr. Blerim Sallahu,
Honorable Director General of the Kosovo Correctional Service, Mr. Ismail Dibrani,
Honorable Directors of the Executive Agencies,
Honorable Representatives of the EULEX and OSCE Missions in Kosovo,
Honorable Module Holders, Officials of the Kosovo Correctional Service and the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety,
Honorable and highly respected Cadets,
Honorable Families of the Cadets,
Honorable Representatives of the Media,
Honorable Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today is a special day for the Kosovo Correctional Service and for the security of our country. With the graduation of the 45th generation of Correctional Officers, we further strengthen our correctional system and add trained professionals to its ranks. They will be guarantors of justice and order in our correctional institutions.
The graduation of 111 cadets today is not just a ceremony, but a testament to our commitment to a strong, safe and just correctional system. As of today, you will be part of a key mechanism for the rule of law, a mechanism that requires discipline, professionalism and full commitment.
Working in the correctional system is not easy, but it is necessary. Through the reforms undertaken in recent years, we have made important steps in strengthening security, rehabilitating prisoners and improving working conditions for correctional officers. We have invested in infrastructure, strengthened specialized units and expanded rehabilitation programs for prisoners. And today, as we stand together here on this important and special day, the results speak for themselves:
-The number of cases of smuggling prevention has increased significantly, demonstrating the increased commitment in the joint fight against negative phenomena in the country;
-Rehabilitation programs have expanded, influencing the resocialization of convicts and their preparation for a successful return to society;
-Security within correctional institutions has increased thanks to the strengthening of the Intelligence Unit, the Economic Unit and the Unit for the Assessment and Classification of Prisoners;
-New employment opportunities have opened up for prisoners in both public and private companies, thus assisting in their rehabilitation and economic integration;
-For the first time, we have achieved significant progress in gender equality, significantly increasing the number of women working in the Kosovo Correctional Service;
-We have taken tangible steps to respect the rights of prisoners, since prisoners have rights even though they do not have freedom, including increasing the number of days allowed for weekends at home and allowing food packages.
Dear cadets,
You are entering a profession with great responsibility, but also with great honor. Your duty is not only to maintain order, but also to contribute to the rehabilitation and resocialization of those in the hands of the correctional system. For this reason, professionalism, ethics and high commitment are required from you.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo will continue to support the strengthening of the Correctional Service and all officials who contribute in this field. Security, justice and the rule of law are the pillars of a strong, stable and democratic state, and you, starting today, are part of this very important pillar.
I wish you success in your professional journey and thank you for your commitment to serving our country with honor, professionalism and dignity!
Last modified: March 10, 2025