Discussions on the possibilities of enhancing the cooperation of the Kosovo and Albania Probation Services

Today the Ministry of Justice – Kosovo Probation Service, in support of UNDP, organized a round table on "The Role of the Probation Service of Kosovo in the execution of alternative measures and sanctions under the Criminal legislation of Kosovo."

This conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Justice, Abdul Ymeri, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Albania, Brikena Kasmi, the UNDP Resident Representative, Osnat Lubrani, judges, prosecutors, representatives of the Probation Service of Kosovo, Albania and South Carolina in the U.S.

Deputy Minister Ymeri said that the Ministry of Justice will work continuously to support the work of the Probation Service, by creating conditions for the provision of services in terms of socialization and reintegration of persons who have violated the law. 

"The Ministry of Justice as part of the reform is working on the project for electronic monitoring of convicted persons. We encourage you to impose as many alternative sentences as possible by using the opportunity provided by our legislation, "said Ymeri.

Deputy Minister, Kasmi, praised the cooperation between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Albania in the justice system in general, which also includes the Probation Service, and said that a greater imposition of alternative sentences is beneficial for the state as well as for the convicted persons themselves.

The General Director of Kosovo Probation Service and the one of Albania presented the achievements of these services from the time of their establishment.

On the importance of a greater imposition of alternative sanctions also spoke the Chief Prosecutor of the Appellate Prosecution, Alexander Lumezi and the Judge of the Supreme Court, Emine Kaçiku.

On the experience of the Probation Service and the importance of alternative sanctions spoke Major Hardy Pascal, the chief of this service in South Carolina, who at this conference on behalf of the Probation Service of South Carolina awarded the prize "General" to the Director, Metije Ademi, who became an honorary member of the Probation Service and the Conditional Release Association of South Carolina.

In the end, representatives of the participating institutions of the conference discussed on finding ways and methods for the execution of alternative measures and sanctions under the Kosovo Criminal legislation.