On 9^th December, representatives from the Prison Administration, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Commissioner of National Mechanism Against Torture, State Advocate Office and non-governmental organisations gathered in Tirana to discuss the progress of the joint EU and Council of Europe Action “Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania” and the way forward.

The Action has aligned its objectives to the Penitentiary Action Plan 2019-2022 substantially contributing to three structural reforms taking place in prisons and the Directorate General of Prison Administration. It has provided technical instruments, methodologies, trainings and pertinent recommendations related to the improvement of care for prisoners with mental health disorders, the setting up of a new national system for the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners, and academic support to enhance the in-house capacities of the Training Center for prison staff.

The achievements and contribution of the action towards penitentiary reform were recognised by all actors, reconfirming the pressing need for the continuation of the current initiated reforms and underlining the need for an enhanced cooperation towards national priorities such as the improvement of care for forensic psychiatric patients. The Action developed a roadmap which assisted the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health in drafting a joint Action Plan for improving the material conditions, care and human rights protection for forensic psychiatric patients, formerly accommodated in Zaharia prison. This inter-ministerial Action Plan was signed in the presence of the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture, during their ad hoc visit in Albania 23-26 November 2021 focusing on the situation of forensic psychiatric patients. 

The participants discussed and agreed on future efforts and concrete interventions aiming to improve the provision of mental health in prisons, rehabilitation prospects for prisoners and increased professionalism for prison staff.  

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 Turkey 2019-2022”.