UNMIK/PR/846
Tuesday, 15 October 2002

Implementation of Conditional Release Commission

Clint Williamson, the Director of the Department of Justice is pleased to announce that on 1 October 2002, the Penal Management Division ("PMD") established a Conditional Release Commission, which is based on applicable law of Kosovo. Under the law, sentenced persons who have served ½ of their sentence are eligible for consideration of conditional release.

The Commission is spear-headed by the Head of PMD, William Irwine, and the members are composed of 2 international judges, 3 local judges, the Head of the Legal Unit for PMD, the Head of Probation, two local Kosovo Albanian Social Workers, one international Doctor, one local Doctor and three international Prison Directors. Each Commission panel will consist of five members who will review the performance of the sentenced person during his or her imprisonment, reports of Social workers Medical Staff, and Correctional Officers, as well as any statement made by the sentenced person or additional relevant material.

If conditionally released, a sentenced person must sign a commitment not to engage in further criminal activity and must report to the police station nearest their residence. Should a sentenced person commit a crime while on conditional release, the conditional release may be revoked and the sentenced person is subject to an additional criminal sanction.

The Commission will prioritise the remaining cases of Kosovo Albanians returned to Kosovo from Serbia, and consider the cases of juveniles and adults from the general population based on eligibility dates. It is anticipated that the Commission will begin reviewing cases from mid-October onward, and that the execution of any decisions for sentenced persons to be released will begin in November, 2002.