Graduation of 39th Generation of Kosovo Correctional Service

Vushtrri - November 20, 2013 - In a ceremony organized by the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety (KAPS) and the Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS) today, 129 correctional officers of 39th Generation of Correctional Service of Kosovo are certified, who are expected to begin their engagement after the functionalizing of the High Security Prison. The graduation ceremony was attended by Minister of Justice Mr. Hajredin Kuqi who is also deputy Prime Minister, General Director of the Academy, Mr. Ismail Smakiqi, Head of the Enforcement Division in EULEX Mr. Peter Bach, Acting General Director of Correctional Services Mr. Shemsi Hajziri and other representatives of local and international institutions.

Justice Minister Hajredin Kuci in his speech at the graduation ceremony said that by graduation of these cadets is the conclusion of an additional activity to the architecture of Justice within the Ministry of Justice and setting of international level standards.
I am honoured that in front of me are correctional officers who are willing to contribute to the security, order and justice in our country. In my capacity as Minister of Justice, let me ask from you that as of today feel yourself as a part of security, order and justice in Kosovo as part of the prosperity and development of our country. It is great that among there are members of the Serb community, and I congratulate them for integration, cooperation, who will be equal correctional officers of the Republic of Kosovo”, said Mr. Kuqi. He said the participation of the Serb community in Kosovo Correctional Service shows that Kosovo offers work, equality and justice for all. Minister Kuqi said the task of new correctional officers is to take care in implementing of the judiciary decisions, in the execution of criminal sanctions, so that charged persons to have the sentence in accordance with the proportion of the offenses they have committed.

Kuqi also said that it is the obligation of correctional officers that they treat people with all human rights, and in order to prepare them to return to society as equal and re socialized citizens. Minister Kuqi asked from correctional officers to carry out their work in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Kosovo, whereas he promised to have the maximum legal protection, by the Ministry of Justice. The certification ceremony of correctional officers also greeted the General Director of the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety, Mr. Ismail Smakiqi. He said that in the Academy are prepared more than 12 thousand law enforcement officers, among them are more than a thousand correctional officers. He said that this is an extraordinary contribution instructors, trainers, local and international experts of different fields.
“Your decision to serve in Kosovo prisons, is the decision to serve to the security of the citizens of your country”, said Mr. Smakiqi to correctional officers. Smakqi has also mentioned the improvement of the quality of training and higher education is the daily work of the Academy and our partners, such as ICITAP, OSCE and the European Commission through the Twinning Project which has to do with improved education in public safety and security sector.

Whereas the Head of Enforcement Division in EULEX, Peter Bach considering this event as a special achievement for Kosovo Correctional Service, said that the mission will continue to support further the Correctional Service. “I was told that you all have shown dedication, commitment and professionalism during your training. However, be sure that you are all at the beginning of your career and which can sometimes be very challenging physically and mentally and which is related to a great responsibility that mostly has to do with society or the public for whom you serve and your contribution will be critical to building the rule of law in Kosovo “said Bach.
 Acting Director of KCS, Mr. Shemsi Hajziri said that Kosovo Correctional Service, the graduation of this generation of correctional officers for High Security Prison is a special achievement because objectives are being realized according to the Strategic Development Plan for the Ministry of Justice from 2012 to 2016.