The sustainable and continuous professionalisation of prison practitioners is one of the key prerequisites for ensuring the long-term success of systemic prevention and response to prison radicalisation. It is also at the core of effective and adequate management and rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and other prisoners at risk from radicalisation.
Recognising the importance of establishing an internal mechanism for transferring skills, knowledge and expertise, the Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS) has taken steps to enhance peer-to-peer learning among prison practitioners working with VEPs and at-risk prisoners. This approach will enable self-sustainable capacity building of newcomers to the prison service or experienced professionals seeking to advance their expertise.
Thus, with the support of EU and Council of Europe, twenty-eight practitioners coming from High Security Prison (HSP) and Dubrava Prison participated in a cascade training session conducted on 20 – 21 March 2025 in Istog, where they increased their knowledge and skills in application of the VEPs instruments and programmes. These tools and programmes are specifically designed for screening signs of radicalisation, conducting risk and needs assessment of VEPs, supporting rehabilitation efforts and preparing prisoners for reintegration upon release. The training was led by their peers who shared practical insight and experience gained from the 2024 pilot implementation of these instruments and programs at HSP and Dubrava Prison.
The cascade session was supported by the regional action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release”, under auspices of the third phase of Horizontal Facility Programme, co- funded by European Union and Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.
European Prison Rules
