The treatment of individuals with mental disorders in detention institutions is considered the most problematic and challenging issue for the Kosovo Correctional Service, the police, and the institutions where such individuals are held.
At the conference titled “Mental Health in Detention Institutions: The Role of NPMs in Protecting Rights and Ensuring Effective Oversight”, organized by the Institution of the Ombudsperson, the Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj stated that another concern lies in the harmonization of legislation and the lack of professional capacities.
He also added that the absence of a specialized institution for the mental health of prisoners is a major issue, particularly for treating those with substance dependencies.
“There is another problem in Kosovo – the lack of specialized institutions that would treat individuals with substance dependency and other substances. They are continuously treated in the same institutions as others with mental disorders, and this creates problems and challenges for the institutions. I believe that in the future there will be concrete steps to resolve this issue,” he added.Ortakov stated that a number of trainings on human rights have been held, which have produced very positive results.
He emphasized that the level of knowledge among employees in detention institutions has significantly increased.
