71 convicts of Ward VI in Dubrava Prison demand their rights

The Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms in Pristina, which has a mandate for monitoring detention centers, detention centers and correctional centers, addressed 71 convicts of Pavilion VI of Dubrava Prison with statements that they are being human rights are violated, denying them the benefits they have earned based on good behavior, the successful passage of the resocialization program through work engagement, professional training, sports, educational and cultural activities.

These 71 convicts, who have signed the request addressed to the KMDLNj, have stated that most of the convicts of Ward VI (ward with benefits) have served half, 2/3 or ¾ of their sentence and that they have successfully passed the rehabilitation program resocialization therefore they have gained all the benefits and that they are fully prepared for integration in society, as free citizens and to become a useful and contributing part of society. They declare that the justice system, especially the prison system, has had irregularities, but that they have endured because of the benefits and hoping that it will get better. They complain about the work of the Parole Panel, which has not met the demands and expectations of convicts who have earned the right to parole. They also complain about the quality of food and the lack of fruits and vegetables due to the tendering process. Even in terms of maintaining personal and collective hygiene and the premises where they are located, there are significant problems according to the signatories of the convicts of Pavilion VI - Dubrava Prison. The lack and malfunction of the hall for sports activities is the next concern of the convicts. They have stated that the use of vacation 21 days a year, receiving food packages during the visit and other benefits have had an effect on their good behavior and the successful passage of the resocialization program. The undersigned convicts of Pavilion VI - of the Dubrava Prison have gone on strike, boycotting work because, according to them, with the amendment of the Law on the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, these benefits have been removed or greatly reduced.

KMDLNj during the monitoring of these centers has identified problems especially in the protection of the health of these persons deprived of their freedom where there are many problems as well as the improvement or creation of conditions for maintaining personal and collective hygiene. KMDLNj has identified the good behavior of the correctional staff towards persons deprived of their freedom as well as the fact that the food for the prisoners is in full accordance with their needs and that in this direction there are qualitative improvements. KMDLNj has committed and is committed to ensuring that prisoners have the right to food and hygiene packages from their families because the prison store does not meet their needs. Regarding the work of the Parole Panel, KMDLNj notices improvements in the work of this Panel, but that more can and should be done so that convicts who meet the conditions for parole can fulfill them without being discriminated against.

KMDLNj opposes any removal of benefits for convicts who deserve them and requests their addition as a motivating motive for convicts to successfully pass the resocialization program through good behavior.

Completion - the amendment of the Law on the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, in accordance with international standards, is currently difficult to implement in Kosovo and takes time because it cannot be implemented without a legal and material infrastructure, in accordance with reality.

Just as the state has the right to take restrictive measures of freedom through the law for those who violate the law, so it has the obligation to send convicted persons an offer of what they will earn if they behave well and not to turn back their advancement the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, which greatly complicates the work of the Correctional Service of Kosovo, as well as encourages the opposing actions of the convict to accept resocialization.

also Arberi 14 May 2019 KMDLNJ demands the closure of the detention unit in Dubrava

At a time when there is a lot of talk about the implementation of alternative punishment measures, any retrogression will only increase the rate of recidivism and this, according to KMDLNj - is not in the interest of the state! KMDLNj supports the convicted persons and their demands for the realization of the rights and benefits earned by merit, but opposes the strike as a means for the realization of these rights. Convicted persons whose benefits are denied or reduced can address the President through a signed request in which they oppose the LESP or even the Constitutional Court through an Institution such as the People's Advocate. At a time when the country has gone to early elections and when there is a semi-vacuity in decision-making, the convicts' strike is not an opportunity for the realization of their rights and reasonable demands. Therefore, the KMDLNj suggests the convicts who are on strike to return to work, while asking the Kosovo Correctional Service not to take any punitive or restrictive measures against the strikers until the time when the new institutions will be formed as a result of early elections.

May 26, 2017 Information Service

Pristina