Kosovo’s Cabinet is renewing efforts to pass a draft law allowing for the renting of a prison in the south of the country to Denmark. This is in an effort to help Denmark cope with its overpopulated prison system. The initial draft of the law did not pass in parliament last week, with the requirement of 80 votes not being met. However, the Cabinet has approved a new draft law that will be submitted for a vote in parliament. The agreement between the two governments was signed in April and May of 2022, with Denmark paying Kosovo 200 million euros for the rental of 300 cells in the prison in Gjilan.
The renewed draft law specifies that Denmark will not be able to send inmates convicted of terrorism or war crimes, as well as mentally ill prisoners, to the facility in Kosovo. The management of the 300-cell prison will be overseen by a Danish warden, along with an Albanian warden and local staff. The funds received from Denmark will be used to improve Kosovo’s correctional institutions and invest in renewable energy projects. Kosovo’s prison system currently has a capacity of up to 2,800, although the exact number of vacancies at the moment is not known.
In a similar vein, neighboring Albania has agreed to house thousands of asylum-seekers for Italy. This underscores the regional cooperation in addressing various challenges, such as prison overcrowding and managing asylum-seekers. The agreement between Kosovo and Denmark highlights the willingness of countries to work together to address common issues and provide solutions. By renting out part of its prison system to Denmark, Kosovo is not only able to alleviate overcrowding in Danish prisons but also benefit financially to improve its own correctional facilities.
The draft law allowing Denmark to rent 300 cells in a Kosovo prison has been approved by the Cabinet and will now be voted on in parliament. Although the law failed to pass in its initial vote last week, it is being brought back for reconsideration. The agreement between Kosovo and Denmark includes specific provisions regarding the types of inmates that can be housed in the facility, as well as the oversight of the prison by Danish and Albanian wardens. This partnership demonstrates the potential for collaboration between countries to address shared challenges and find mutually beneficial solutions.
The funds received from Denmark for renting the prison cells will be used to enhance Kosovo’s correctional institutions and support renewable energy projects. This financial benefit will not only help improve the country’s prison system but also contribute to sustainable development initiatives. Additionally, the agreement between Kosovo and Denmark serves as an example of how countries can work together to address complex issues in a mutually beneficial manner. By cooperating on matters such as prison overcrowding, countries can share resources and expertise to achieve positive outcomes both domestically and internationally.
