Yahoo TV

STORY: Renovations are underway at this jail in Eastern Kosovo to bring it up to Danish standards as it prepares to house 300 inmates from Denmark, in a move criticized by human rights groups.

Kosovo’s parliament approved the deal last week to help the Scandinavian country cope with overcrowded prisons.

In return, Kosovo, which is one of Europe's poorest countries, will receive 210 million euros ($228 million) over the next 10 years.

Kosovo Correctional Service Director Ismail DIbrani says while the money is significant, he believes his department will benefit in other ways too.

“Besides the material benefit that we will get around 210 million euros for ten years, more than the whole annual budget of correctional system including 1,700 people who are jailed and another 1,700 people who work in this institution, we will have the opportunity to receive and learn from the best practice of Danish prison system.”

International organizations say Kosovo has a lot to learn.

Human rights groups say its prisons and detention centers are often marred by violence between prisoners, corruption, exposure to radical religious or political views, lack of medical care and violence by staff.

The prison is expected to hold convicted criminals from non-European Union countries who were due to be deported from Denmark after their sentences.

No individuals who are sentenced on terrorism charges or have life sentences will be housed there.

The first convicts are expected to be transferred about two years after prison reconstruction begins.