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.

Project documentation

Useful information

project news

Back Albanian authorities confirmed the partnership with the Council of Europe in further improving the situation in prisons and other closed institutions

Nino LAPACHI

Modified 1 Year ago.

@ Council of Europe

On 9March 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”.

Albania 10 March 2023