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Kosovo leads the region in the percentage of young people in prison. Why?

2026-05-12 23:34:50Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Kosovo leads the region in the percentage of young people in prison. Why?
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More than one in three prisoners in Kosovo is under the age of 30.

Data, published at the end of April as part of the Youth Participation Index, show that Kosovo has the highest percentage of youth in correctional services in the entire region.

A year earlier, Kosovo was second, behind Albania.

Kosovo leads the region in the percentage of young people in prison. Why?

For Ferid Murseli from the organization Democracy for Development (D4D) – which collected official data on Kosovo for this report – these figures do not only indicate the penal system.

"In our country, every day we say that 'this country has youth', 'youth is the future', but in fact this shows exactly where youth stands, whether in the political, social or economic dimension," he tells Radio Free Europe.

Kosovo leads the region in the percentage of young people in prison. Why?

"Prisons are reflecting a deeper social problem"

In addition to the high rate of youth in prison, Kosovo also ranks poorly in other indicators related to youth life.

Around 35 percent of young people in Kosovo are not in education, employment or training – the highest rate in the region.

Kosovo also has the lowest youth labor force participation rate.

Kosovo leads the region in the percentage of young people in prison. Why?

He argues that institutions should invest more in educational reforms, career guidance, vocational schools, and community activities for young people.

"There should be more functional youth centers, sports, cultural and artistic activities, so that young people can be offered positive alternatives," says Murseli.

Kosovo leads the region in the percentage of young people in prison. Why?

Researcher Donika Gashi from the Musine Kokalari Institute also sees this statistic as a consequence of deeper social factors.

"This figure cannot be read simply as a matter of criminality, but as a symptom of economic insecurity, educational failure and social marginalization," she tells Radio Free Europe.

According to her, many young people come into conflict with the law because they fail to find stable jobs, psychological support, or community services.

"If a young person is not working, not in education and does not see a path to progress, the system meets him too late, when he has already come into conflict with the law," says Gashi.

"Young people are treated like numbers"

Radio Free Europe asked the Ministry of Justice if it has any plans to address this phenomenon, but, as of the publication of this article, it has not received a response.

Similarly, the Kosovo Correctional Service has not granted REL permission to visit the Juvenile Correctional Center, located in Lipjan.

During a visit a few years ago, two young men spoke about their lives within the walls of this institution, in isolation.

Both were looking forward to their release and return to society, but psychologist Fjolla Ibrahimi had hinted that that return might not be very welcoming.

"The main challenges that former prisoners face in reintegration are incompatibility with other people in the area where they will live, finding a permanent job that brings income, their mental health after leaving prison, as well as prejudice that comes from others," Ibrahimi told Radio Free Europe.

The negative effects of isolating young people at a crucial time for their development, such as adolescence, have led the American organization Juvenile Law Center to call for the elimination of such institutions for minors.

Kate Burdick, a lawyer at this organization, tells Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that isolation, constant control, and disconnection from family support directly affect the emotional development of young people.

"We're talking about children and young people whose brains are still developing. This is a period when they need support, not additional trauma," says Burdick.

According to her, even in institutions where there is no physical violence, the very separation from family and community is problematic.

“They are treated like numbers and disconnected from the people who make up their identity and support system,” Burdick says. “The questions we hear most often are, ‘How can I talk to my mom more?’ or ‘How can I not miss my sister’s birthday?’”

According to her, the most effective alternatives are community programs, mentoring, therapy and restorative justice.

“Research shows that alternatives to incarceration are more effective in reducing recidivism than isolating youth in institutions,” says Burdick.

Kosovo does not keep statistics on the rate of recidivism in the country.

A system more punitive than preventive?

According to Donika Gashi, on paper, Kosovo has preventive policies. But, in reality, she says, the system continues to function differently.

"This means that institutions are activated after the damage has occurred: the police, the prosecution, the court, and then the correctional system," she says.

True prevention, according to Gashi, must happen much earlier: in schools, families, social work centers, and mental health services.

"We need to move from the 'condemn' logic to the 'break the cycle' logic," says Gashi.

She argues that for less serious offenses, especially for first-time offenders, more alternative measures should be used, such as community service, addiction treatment, and return to education.

"Justice does not end with the imposition of punishment, but with ensuring that the person does not repeat the same offense," she says.

Gashi says one of the main problems remains the lack of support after release. According to her, rehabilitation should not be limited to training within the prison.

"There must be real connections to the labor market, mentoring and psychological support," she said.

She warns that, otherwise, prison risks reinforcing the "criminal identity" of young people.

"Prevention is cheaper than imprisonment"

For experts, investing in education, employment, and community services is seen as the most effective way to reduce recidivism.

Burdick also argues that financial resources could be better used outside of closed institutions.

“It is much more effective and less costly to provide support to young people in the community than in prison,” she says.

For Murseli, the figures should serve as a wake-up call for institutions. He warns that without long-term policies and serious investments in youth, the problems could deepen.

"If we continue like this, we will have even bigger problems in the future," Murseli concludes./ REL

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