Kosovo's Cabinet has introduced a new draft law to rent a prison in the south of the country to Denmark, aiming to alleviate Denmark's overpopulated prison system. The initial draft law failed to pass last week, but officials hope this revised proposal will secure parliamentary approval.
Kosovo's Cabinet has renewed its efforts to establish a prison rental agreement with Denmark, introducing a revised draft law to address the country's overpopulated prison system.
Following the failure of the first draft law to pass in parliament last week, the Cabinet on Sunday approved a new draft law proposing the lease of 300 cells at the prison in Gjilan, located 50 kilometers south of the capital Pristina, to Denmark for a 10-year period.
The terms of the agreement, signed between the two governments in April and May 2022, stipulate that Kosovo will receive 200 million euros ($217 million) in return for the prison lease. The funds are earmarked for correctional institution upgrades and renewable energy projects within Kosovo.
According to the plan, Denmark will not be permitted to house inmates convicted of terrorism or war crimes or those with mental illnesses. A Danish warden will oversee the 300-cell facility, supported by an Albanian warden and other local staff.
Kosovo's prison system currently has a capacity of up to 2,800 inmates, but the exact number of vacancies is not immediately available.
The prison rental agreement is part of a broader trend of European countries seeking creative solutions to address overcrowding in their prison systems. In a similar arrangement, neighboring Albania has agreed to house thousands of asylum-seekers for Italy.
The draft law is expected to face another vote in parliament, where it requires at least 80 votes, or two-thirds of the 120-seat parliament, to pass.
Last week's vote on the initial draft law garnered 75 votes, falling short of the required threshold.
Kosovo's Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu expressed optimism that the revised draft law would secure parliamentary approval, enabling the country to contribute to Denmark's prison overcrowding issue while also benefiting from the financial compensation.
The updated draft law includes modifications to address concerns raised by some parliamentarians during last week's debate. These amendments aim to ensure that the prison rental agreement aligns with Kosovo's constitution and international law.
Kosovo's efforts to lease its prison space to Denmark underscore the challenges faced by many countries in managing their prison populations. The agreement, if approved, will provide a unique solution that benefits both countries involved.
