Prishtina, 24 November, 2023
‘’Marking the anniversaries of the institutions is of special importance, when their progress is evident, when the efficiency of the services is towards the desirable height, when we boast of these successes, and are encouraged for more work in the future that awaits us, says the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, at the ceremony of the 24th anniversary of the Establishment of the Correctional Service of Kosovo as well as the graduation of the 43rd generation of correctional officers.
In his speech, Prime Minister Kurti said that the Correctional Service is an institution that must guarantee the safety of each convict, and the possibility of correction of individuals who in the past have done wrong actions or those that are sanctioned by the laws of the Republic of Kosovo.
In this ceremony, in front of many present, the Prime Minister added that in our government, we have approved the Legal Reform in the Correctional Service of Kosovo, which advances services to prisoners and their rights. We have also increased the capacities and opportunities for professional development through adequate training for the personnel.
While he also spoke about the Law on the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, he said that a reform has been foreseen regarding the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty, the rights and benefits that will be due to them, such as days off outside the Correctional Institution (14 days a year ), spending time in separate spaces for all convicts, early release in 3, 6, or 9 months, depending on the assessment and fulfillment of the criteria that the convict reaches.
Meanwhile, through the Law on the Correctional Service of Kosovo, the prime minister emphasized that the status, principles, responsibilities, management and general organization of the Correctional Service, the special or additional conditions for recruitment, and many other things have been regulated. Also, this law foresees the establishment of several new units necessary for the activity of the CSK. During the last two years, with the support of the American Embassy, 104 officials have been trained and certified in various fields, and also with the aim of increasing the gender quota in the ranks of the correctional staff, today it is successfully certifying 45 female correctional officers, as the 43rd generation of the CSK.
70 candidates for correctional officers are in the process of recruitment who will attend training for advancement and development in professional fields. The establishment of the Institution for the Training and Treatment of Persons with Special Needs is also in the process.
Our aim, the Prime Minister further said, is that all prisoners, all those who are serving their sentence, one day when they have completed it, integrate into a better, fairer, more capable society than they were before.
At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that there will be no shortage of preparations, professionalism will only increase, care and safety will be a priority, and the dignified treatment of all without distinction will be permanent.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Dear Ms. Albulena Haxhiu, Minister of Justice,
The honorable Mr. Blerim Sallahu, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Justice,
Honorable Giovanni Pietro Brabano, Head of Mission of EULEX,
Dear Ms. Kimberly Riffe, representative of the embassy of the United States of America,
The honorable Mr. Edward Anderson, Director of the Country and Public Security Department at the OSCE Mission in Kosovo,
Dear Mr. Ismail Dibrani, General Director of the Correctional Service of Kosovo,
Dear representatives of the government cabinet and heads of various state agencies,
Dear superiors and officials of the Kosovo Correctional Service,
Dear cadets and family members,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
Marking the anniversaries of institutions has special importance, when their progress is evident, when the efficiency of services is towards the desired height, when we boast of these successes, and are encouraged for more work in the future that awaits us.
The Correctional Service is an institution that must guarantee the safety of each convict, and the possibility of correction of individuals who in the past have done wrong actions or such actions which are sanctioned by the laws of our Republic. Justice still does not sufficiently perform its work when the individual is sentenced to the appropriate measure for serving the sentence. Immediately after that decision, the convicts also have their rights which must be respected, as well as the staff have their own responsibilities for the way the prisoners are treated. Prisoners are people who are not free but who have rights. They are citizens of the Republic whom we also serve as they serve their sentence.
In our government, we have approved the Legal Reform in the Correctional Service of Kosovo, which advances services to prisoners and their rights. We have also increased the capacities and opportunities for professional development through adequate training for the personnel.
Through the Law on the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, we have foreseen reforms related to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty, the rights and benefits they will be entitled to, such as days off outside the Correctional Institution (14 days a year), spending time in separate spaces for all convicts, early release in 3, 6, or 9 months, depending on the assessment and fulfillment of the criteria that the convict reaches.
Through the Law on the Correctional Service of Kosovo, the status, principles, responsibilities, management and general organization of the Correctional Service, special additional conditions for recruitment, and much more have been regulated. Also, this law foresees the establishment of several new units necessary for the activity of the Kosovo Correctional Service, in which case I mentioned three main ones:
• The economic entity through which economic and productive activities are developed, services are provided, prisoners are employed and income is generated for the needs of the SKK in order to resocialize prisoners and reduce budget costs.
• The other is – The unit for the assessment and classification of prisoners through which the individual assessment of risk and needs is made for all prisoners accepted by correctional institutions, and;
• The intelligence unit through which the planning, collection, systematization, analysis, distribution and protection of information in specific intelligence, which pose a dangerous threat to order and security in correctional institutions, is carried out.
So, while the Kosovo Correctional Service takes care of and contributes to overall security in the state and our society, it also belongs to the Government, the state and society, to take care of the security inside the correctional institutions.
On this occasion, I want to salute the excellent vigilance of the staff, in preventing the smuggling of various items which have been attempted several times to enter the prisons.
During the last two years, the Correctional Service of Kosovo, with the aim of professional development of the staff and with the support of the American embassy, in the United States of America, 104 officials have been trained and certified in various fields, which trainings are continuing for which they were we are very grateful to the Embassy of the United States of America in the Republic of Kosovo.
The Correctional Service of Kosovo, with the aim of increasing the gender quota in the ranks of the correctional staff, today successfully certifies 45 female correctional officers, as the 43rd generation of the SKK. About two years ago, another 46 cadets, men and women, successfully completed their training.
70 candidates for correctional officers are in the process of recruitment who will attend training for advancement and development in professional fields. The increase in capacities is reflected in parallel with the increase in the quality of services, because this is the way, because this is our common goal.
The establishment of the Institution for the Training and Treatment of Persons with Special Needs is also in the process. This institution will reach the standards of European prison rules for the treatment of persons with special needs, elderly persons who need constant support and care, persons with chronic diseases, persons addicted to various substances, that is for all those who are considered to need permanent health care, adequate service will be provided in a completely professional manner.
Just as the citizens of the Republic who have different abilities and needs, also for those citizens of the Republic one day because they run afoul of the law and lose their freedom, continue to have different abilities and needs, and our correctional system should be sensitive to such situations.
The Kosovo Correctional Service is well on its way to guaranteeing a safe environment for everyone, with rehabilitative and resocializing facilities.
Our aim is that all prisoners, all those who are serving their sentence, one day when they have finished it, will be integrated into a better, fairer, more capable society than they were before.
Preparations will not be lacking, professionalism will only increase, care and safety will be a priority, and the dignified treatment of all without distinction will be permanent.
Congratulations on the 24th anniversary of the Kosovo Correctional Service, and continued success!
Thank you.
Last modified: November 27, 2023