A three-day training held in Tirana strengthened the capacities of Albanian prison staff to implement rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for prisoners. The training brought together 24 participants, including the Director General for Prison Administration, staff from the Training Center for prison staff, chief prison police, and heads of social sections from seven prisons across Albania.

The initiative builds on the Council of Europe’s support since 2014, helping the Albanian prison service adopt an Integrated Sentence Management approach. This combines two complementary methodologies—Internal Classification and Case Management, grounded in the pro-social prison model, which promotes a supportive, community-oriented environment where positive behaviours such as mutual respect, collaboration, and personal responsibility are encouraged.

During the training, participants explored European best practices in prison case management, examined piloting experiences of Internal Classification in four Albanian prisons, and discussed tailored strategies to improve prisoner rehabilitation.

As a result of the training, participants developed action plans to pilot the Case Management methodology in two prisons between July and September 2026, with the intention to expand this approach to additional facilities. On-site coaching by trained staff, supported by the Training Center, will ensure these reforms are sustainable and embedded in daily prison operations.

The activity was conducted in the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, and its action on Enhancing the protection of Human Rights of prisoners in Albania.