Renting prisons costs 300 billion won over 10 years... 'Prisoner trade' between wealthy and poor European countries

Denmark's Prisons Overcrowded, Ultimately 'Exporting' Prisoners
Kosovo to Receive 210 Million Euros in Support Over 10 Years

Denmark has leased a prison in the small Balkan country of Kosovo to address its prison overcrowding issue.

On the 23rd (local time), AFP and other news agencies reported that the Kosovo parliament voted on a bill to lease 300 prison cells to Denmark, with 84 out of 120 members approving the bill. Although Kosovo agreed to the contract with Denmark in 2021, the bill had repeatedly failed to pass due to opposition from the opposition party. Additionally, Danish human rights organizations opposed the move at the time, arguing that separating prisoners from their families was undesirable.

However, with the bill's passage, Kosovo will lease 300 prison cells located in the village of Zilan, about 50 km from the capital Pristina, and will receive 210 million euros (approximately 310.7 billion won) in support from Denmark over the next 10 years. This amount corresponds to 2.4% of Kosovo's gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately 8.896 billion euros as of 2022. The Kosovo government stated that it will use these funds to improve prison conditions and invest in eco-friendly energy projects.

[Image source=Pixabay]

Denmark plans to send non-European Union (EU) prisoners who are scheduled for deportation after serving their sentences to the Kosovo prison. The transferred prisoners will be subject to the same regulations as those in Danish prisons. This agreement is the result of aligned interests between Denmark, which is struggling with prison overcrowding, and Kosovo, which hopes for external economic support.

Previously, the number of prisoners in Denmark increased by nearly 20% since 2015, causing the prison occupancy rate to exceed 100%. Meanwhile, the number of prison officers decreased from 2,500 to 2,000, creating significant challenges in prison administration. In contrast, Kosovo's prisons reportedly had relatively ample capacity, with 700 to 800 empty cells.

Peter Hummelgaard, Denmark's Minister of Justice, said, "This is an important decision to secure more prison space and will help restore balance to our strained prison system." He added, "At the same time, it sends a clear message that there is no future in Denmark for foreigners who commit crimes, and they should not serve their sentences here."

In Europe, Norway and Belgium have previously leased prison cells in the Netherlands to alleviate prison overcrowding.