UNMIK/PR/1213
PRISTINA – In a significant step towards capacity building in penal management, on 4 August 2004 the first group of four Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS) Deputy Directors were selected for the post of Prison Director. Three others were selected for the post of Principal Deputy Director. The selection interviews were conducted after six months of intensive training with the assistance of the Swiss Government as well as on-the-job training.
The successful Prison Directors-designate are: Hyrjet SELAJ, Deputy Director from Prizren Detention Centre; Ago KOLIC, Deputy Director from Peja/Pec Detention Centre; Mentor ABDYLI and Xhevat MEXHUANI from Lipjan/Lipljan Prison. The last two will be assigned to the KCS Headquarters in Pristina.
The Principal Deputy Directors-designate are: Valon MAXHARAJ, Mentor VUTHAJ and Kadri HALITI, all from Dubrava Prison.
For the next six months the KCS Prison Directors-designate will be undergoing intensive training and working under the close supervision of international directors.
Since its establishment in October 1999, the penal Management Division (PMD) has undertaken extensive refurbishment of the prison facilities. By mobilizing generous foreign donations, the PMD has been able to restore each facility to an operational level and has improved overall security standards. Last August a new Detention Centre built to international standards was inaugurated in Lipjan/Lipljan. Kosovo currently has 8 correctional institutions including 6 detention centres and two prisons.
The Kosovo Correctional Service employs a total of 1,516 staff comprising 22 Deputy Directors, 97 Senior Supervisors, 199 Supervisors, and 1,198 correctional staff. There are 289 females and 1,227 males.