The Gjilani Prison in Kosovo is undergoing significant changes as it prepares to meet European standards following its lease to the state of Denmark. This prison facility is relocating all Kosovar inmates to accommodate 300 prisoners from the Nordic country. This move has faced severe criticism from human rights experts in Denmark and raised security concerns in Kosovo.
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| The Kosovo prison that will receive 300 prisoners from Denmark |
Addressing Security Concerns
Ismail Dibrani, the Director of the Prison Service in Kosovo, clarified the nature of the prisoners that will be transferred to Gjilani.
"It is important to know that no individuals convicted of terrorism, life sentences, or suffering from severe illnesses or psychological issues will be coming. Those arriving will be similar to the inmates in other prisons like Dubrava or Smrekovnica," Dibrani stated.
Benefits for Kosovo
Dibrani emphasized the substantial benefits for Kosovo from this arrangement.
"Apart from the material benefits, which amount to around 210 million euros over 10 years—more than the entire annual budget for the prison directorate—we will have the opportunity to learn from the best practices of the Danish prison system."
Local Community Concerns
Residents in the vicinity of the prison have expressed their concerns. Rinor Behluli, a resident of the village of Pasjak, highlighted issues with local infrastructure.
"Our main problem is the road. Police vans and visitors' cars pass through our village. They have promised to build another road, but they are still using ours and driving very fast," Behluli said.
Training and Implementation
Kosovar prison guards will receive training from Danish authorities to ensure the treatment of inmates aligns with human rights standards. The first group of inmates is expected to arrive 21 months after the commencement of the reconstruction of Gjilani Prison, which is set to start in a few weeks.
This transformation of Gjilani Prison marks a significant step in Kosovo's efforts to integrate European standards into its correctional system while fostering international cooperation and enhancing local infrastructure.