On 19 and 20 January, 19 Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS) women officers participated in a training course organized and delivered by the Association of Women in the Kosovo Correctional Service with the support of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX).

The two-day training aimed at increasing the capacity of the KCS staff in the fields of communication, teamwork, conflict perception, understanding and resolution.

In particular, participants learned through interactive exercises and group work how to better foster constructive and sustainable work relationships, manage and resolve conflicts, cultivate team cohesion, enhance work efficiency and reduce work-related stress.

The Chief of EULEX’s Correctional Unit, Ritva Vahakoski, said: “Working in correctional institutions is a very demanding job that requires a lot of patience and determination. Therefore, this training is very important to strengthen the communication skills of the correctional staff, focusing on different situations that might require quick solutions in difficult circumstances.” Vahakoski added that strengthening these skills can create a safer environment and support the prisoners’ rehabilitation process.

Flaka Imeri, trainee and Social Officer for Minors at the Juvenile Correctional Center in Lipjan/Lipljan, positively commented on the learning opportunity stating: “A communication training is necessary for us because of the nature of our work where we have to manage various situations with prisoners. This type of training should also be organized with other groups of correctional officers as well, so that they can gain new knowledge on how to communicate with prisoners in other correctional centers.”

EULEX will continue to support similar activities organized by the Association of Women in the KCS, in line with the commitment of the Mission’s Correctional Unit to advance the position of women within KCS, and to help female employees develop their careers and achieve their full potential.