Publication highlights 69. In the context of the CPT’s ongoing dialogue with the national authorities, the President of the Committee, together with the European Union Special Representative in Skopje, met the Prime Minister on 16 February 2009 to discuss the situation in the country’s prisons. Among the key issues highlighted during the meeting were the need to develop a competent and professional management of the prison system as well as a strategic plan. The Prime Minister acknowledged that further action was required and stated that his government was committed to investing in the prison system. Reports and responses published September and November 2008, CPT/Inf (2008) 22, CPT/Inf (2008) 23, CPT/Inf (2008) 31 and CPT/Inf (2008) 32 Report on the visit to Kosovo in March 2007 and response of UNMIK (situation in police stations, prisons and psychiatric/social welfare establishments) 70. This first visit by the CPT to Kosovo was carried out on the basis of the Agreement signed in August 2004 between the Council of Europe and UNMIK and of an exchange of letters concluded in 2006 between the Secretaries General of the Council of Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).1 71. In the visit report, the CPT notes that its delegation received a number of allegations of physical ill-treatment of persons held by officers of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) in police stations throughout Kosovo. Further, poor material conditions of detention were found in almost all the police stations visited. In its response, UNMIK provides information on the measures taken to combat ill-treatment, notably the issuance of a directive to police officers and the preparation of draft legislation to increase sanctions against police officers who use force unnecessarily and/or in a disproportionate manner. In addition, steps have been taken to intensify the training of police officers and to strengthen the legal safeguards for persons detained by the police. 72. As regards the prisons visited, some allegations of physical ill-treatment by custodial staff were received at Dubrava Prison and Lipjan/Lipljan Correctional Centre. Further, at Dubrava Prison, many complaints were heard of provocative behaviour and excessive use of force by members of the establishment’s Intervention Unit (so-called “Delta Bravo”). Material conditions of detention were generally satisfactory; however, they were very poor in the Pejë/Peć Detention Centre as well as in some parts of Dubrava Prison. As to the regime, despite some efforts by the prison administration to develop a programme of activities, many sentenced prisoners and almost all remand prisoners did not benefit from any regular out-of-cell activities other than outdoor exercise. The Committee also expresses concern about the overwhelming number of allegations of favouritism and corruption heard at Dubrava Prison. 1. The CPT’s report to NATO on the visit to places of deprivation of liberty under the authority of KFOR has not yet been made public. 33