On 9 March 2023, representatives from the General Directorate of Prison Administration, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, State Advocate Office, and non-governmental organisations, together with the representatives from the European Union and the Council of Europe, gathered in Tirana to reinstate their commitment to cooperating over the next four years within the action “Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania”.

The achievements of the previous action and its contribution towards the penitentiary reforms in the country were recognised by all actors, reconfirming the pressing need for the continuation of the current initiatives covering the areas of forensic psychiatry, mental health in prisons, rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners, progressive release, and staff capacitation. Cooperation with civil society organisations was underlined as equally important, especially concerning post-penal release and feedback collection from right holders, thus ensuring the interventions produce positive effects in improving the protection of human rights of prisoners. The institutions adopted the 6-mont workplan and discussed and agreed on future efforts and concrete interventions aiming to improve the provision of mental health in prisons and rehabilitation prospects for prisoners.  

The Action “Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania”, is part of joint initiative of the European Union and Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye 2023-2026”.