Plan to hire Kosovo officers for Danish prisons

The Conservative People’s Party in Denmark has proposed hiring Kosovan police officers for Danish prisons as an interim measure while plans to lease 300 prison spaces in Kosovo face delays. Mai Mercado, justice spokesperson, contends this step is necessary to support the overstretched Correctional Services. The Kosovan officers would assist in sections housing deported convicts and receive training for eventual transfer to the Danish-leased facilities in Kosovo, with numbers dependent on Denmark’s requirements. Despite differences in training and approach, Mercado believes it’s beneficial to introduce these officers to Danish standards. The existing agreement touches on employment details, including family visits for deportees in Kosovo. Mercado does not rule out allowing Kosovan officers to remain in Denmark if needed for longer periods due to ongoing staff shortages. The Danish-Kosovo prison space agreement has faced obstacles in Kosovo’s parliament, failing to secure a majority in a recent vote.