A delegation from the Council of Europe Office in Pristina, including Head of Office, Mary Ann Hennessey, Deputy Head, Nichola Howson, and Senior Project Officer, Arben Lubach met with the Director General of the Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS), Ismail Dibrani.

Director Dibrani thanked the Council of Europe for its substantial support in recent years, which has helped strengthen the capacities of KCS, advance prisoners’ rights, improve rehabilitation and reintegration practices, and support staff development.

He emphasised that the respect for human rights and rehabilitation are central to KCS policy, which is grounded in Council of Europe standards such as the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), and the case law arising from Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as European Prison Rules.

The meeting highlighted practical achievements from this cooperation, including support for the KCS Strategic Plan 2023–2027, rehabilitation programmes, suicide and self-harm prevention mechanisms, occupational activities, treatment for prisoners with substance-use disorders, and staff training modernisation. These initiatives help KCS deliver individualised treatment and prepare prisoners for reintegration into society.

Recognising the Council of Europe as a crucial international partner, Director Dibrani acknowledged its expertise and consistent support as significant to KCS’s reforms, especially those focusing on prisoner rehabilitation and professional practice based on human dignity, humane treatment, and professional conduct, aligned with Council of Europe standards.

Both sides emphasised the importance of ongoing, close cooperation and readiness to build on achievements, address emerging needs, and further advance in line with European standards.