Following the finalisation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the Prison Health Department (PHD) and establishment of the pool of local PHD trainers, a 2-day peer to peer training was organised for 30 staff of the Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS) on 21-22 April 2026.

The training enhanced the capacity of KCS staff to apply the PHD SOPs in their daily work and to better support health-related safeguards in prison settings. Namely, through scenario-based discussions, case studies and group exercises, participants increased their understanding and skills on key procedures related to admission and first medical visits, communicable diseases, treatment of persons with mental disorders, refusal of food and medication, management of self-harm and suicide risks, continuity of therapy, medical confidentiality, ethical standards, and occupational therapy. The training also addressed documentation and reporting of injuries in line with the Istanbul Protocol, helping reinforce understanding of professional responsibilities and inter-institutional cooperation in situations involving possible ill-treatment.

By enabling trained local professionals to transfer knowledge further within the prison system, the activity helped embed project achievements more firmly into institutional practice. At the same time, it allowed the involved PHD trainers to refresh and consolidate the expertise previously acquired through the ToT process, strengthening local ownership and ability of institutions to continue building capacities of their staff independently in a sustainable manner.

The activity was organized under the auspices of the Council of Europe project “Improvement of the treatment of persons deprived of liberty”

* All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions, or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United National Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.