Kosovo Parliament Approves Prison Lease Deal with Denmark

Kosovo's parliament has approved a bill to lease some of its prison space to Denmark, in a move designed to help the Scandinavian country address its overcrowded prison system.

Kosovo's parliament has given the green light to a bill that will allow Denmark to lease some of its prison space. The deal, which was signed in 2022, aims to alleviate Denmark's overcrowded prison system by sending foreign nationals convicted in Denmark to serve their sentences in Kosovo.

Under the agreement, Denmark will pay Kosovo 210 million euros ($227 million) for the use of 300 cells at the prison in the town of Gjilan, south of the capital, Pristina. The lease term is set for 10 years.

Foreign nationals, excluding Danish nationals, will be eligible for transfer to Kosovo, provided they are not convicted of terrorism or war crimes, or mentally ill.

The bill received overwhelming support in parliament, with 86 lawmakers voting in favor and only 7 opposed. To become law, the bill requires the signature of Kosovo's president and publication in the official gazette.

Kosovo authorities have stated that they will invest the funds received from Denmark into improving the Balkan country's correctional institutions and renewable energy projects.

The deal also includes provisions for the deportation of foreign nationals to their home countries after completing their sentences in Kosovo.

Kosovo's parliament initially failed to pass an earlier version of the bill last week, prompting the government to revise it. Part of the opposition had expressed reservations about the earlier draft.

Denmark's Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard welcomed the parliament's approval, describing it as "really good news." He stated that sending convicts to Kosovo would help ease the strain on Denmark's prison system.

"At the same time, it sends a clear signal to foreign criminals that their future is not in Denmark, and therefore they should not serve time here either," Hummelgaard said.

A Danish warden, assisted by local prison staff, will oversee the facility in Kosovo. The bill stipulates that convicts must serve their sentences in accordance with Danish laws and international obligations.

Kosovo's prison system has a capacity for approximately 2,800 prisoners, although it is unclear how many cells are currently unoccupied.

The deal is expected to begin with foreign nationals serving sentences for relatively minor offenses. The transfer of convicts to Kosovo is expected to commence once all necessary arrangements are finalized.