HF III - Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania

Building upon the results achieved from the implementation of the first and the second phase of the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, a joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the Action “Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania” assists the authorities to further enhance prison reform and the protection of the human rights of prisoners and the persons detained in special institutions. It is implemented in close cooperation and partnership with the Ministry of Justice (Directorate General for Prison Administration - DGPA), the Ministry of Health and other national stakeholders, including prominent civil society organisations active in the area of protection and promotion of human rights.
The Action will focus on achieving the following outcomes:

• The systematic application of newly gained knowledge and skills by prison staff improved healthcare provision to prisoners with mental health disorders and forensic patients;
• The process of rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners is further strengthened through the application of individual sentence plans and reintegration programmes;
• DGPA further strengthened their human resources practices and enhanced capacities for sustainable in-house training provision.

The key Conventions for this Action are the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), as well as the findings and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The duration of the project is set at 48 months, and it is expected to be completed by 31 December 2026, with an overall budget of 850,000 Euros.

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Back Albania: Medical and psycho-social prison staff learn to develop multi-disciplinary treatment plans for prisoners with mental health disorders

Marina ACHA

Modified 7 Months ago.

@ Council of Europe

The Council of Europe continues to assist the Albanian Prison Service in enhancing the skills of prison staff for developing Individual Treatment Plans (ITP) and consolidate the practice of initial screening and in-depth assessment of prisoners with mental health disorders.

On 19-20 September 2023, 24 professionals from 5 prisons and representatives from the Directorate General of Prison Administration gathered for a training on in-depth assessment which constitutes the most important stage of the development of a multi-disciplinary ITP.

Both medical and psycho-social workers increased their knowledge on common disorders among prisoners, such as mood, personality, psychotic and post-traumatic stress disorders, and acquainted themselves with therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care. Sample treatment plans were developed for four disorders common in Albanian prisons. An enhanced focus was placed on finding the balance between medical treatment and supportive psychological/occupational therapies, cooperation within multidisciplinary teams, monitoring of disorder dynamics and individualisation of sample plans.

The training was conducted in the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme ”Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye – Phase III”, and in particular Action on “Enhancing the protection of Human Rights of prisoners in Albania”.

Durres, Albania 19-20 September 2023