News on Enhancing the Protection of Human Rights of Prisoners in Albania
Improving forensic psychiatric patients’ treatment in Lezha provisional facility
Forensic psychiatric patients accommodated at the Lezha provisional facility will benefit from enhanced services and support thanks to the assistance provided by European Union and Council of Europe to the Albanian Prison Service. The assistance aims to improve patients’ internal categorisation...
Albanian probation professionals pave the way for stronger professional development
Probation professionals from across Albania have identified key steps to strengthen the capacity-building system of the Probation Service, including induction, continuous training and the development of internal expertise to support more effective rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders....
Initial Screening for prisoners with mental health disorders successfully piloted in Albanian prisons and remand facilities.
With support from the European Union and the Council of Europe, the Albanian Prison Service has rolled out an Initial Screening for prisoners with mental health disorders as a health care priority from day one of their admission. The new approach, launched in March 2026, with a capacity-building...
Cognitive Behavior Therapy successfully piloted in four Albanian prisons
The European Union and Council of Europe are assisting the Albanian Prison Service in delivering the Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), aimed at better preparing prisoners for release. In this framework, on 23 June 2026, an evaluation visit was conducted in Fier Prison by a team composed of a...
Albanian Prisons Prepare to Pilot New Rehabilitation Methods
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...
From Syria to Reintegration: Supporting Violent Extremist Offenders in the Probation System in Albania
In her dark clothing, Fatime* sits quietly, seemingly uninterested in any conversation, waits impatiently to meet her Probation Officer in Tirana. Every three months, she is required to report and discuss her progress with the probation authorities. She is one of the nine women who returned in...
Improving the treatment of prisoners with mental health disorders in Albania, in line with European standards
The European Union and the Council of Europe are assisting the Albanian prison service to establish a structured and standardised practice to support prisoners with mental health disorders upon admission, in line with the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. ...
Albanian prison service to pilot Cognitive Behavior Therapy in four prisons
The European Union and Council of Europe are assisting the Albanian Prison Service in introducing a Cognitive Behavior Treatment (CBT) programme, to better prepare prisoners for release. A follow-up capacity-building activity took place in Tirana on 28-29 January, bringing together prison...
Sustainable rehabilitation in prison and probation systems discussed with authorities in Albania
Albanian prison authorities are committed to ensure the long-term use of newly developed tools for violent extremist offenders and adopt the necessary legislative framework for their application across the penitentiary and probation systems. This commitment was emphasized during recent...
New Trauma Informed Therapy brings hope to women prisoners in Albania
For the first time, women prisoners in Albania are benefiting from a structured Trauma-Informed Therapy programme, focusing on mental health, resilience, and dignity in prison rehabilitation. With the support of the EU and Council of Europe and in partnership with the Directorate General of...