The Council of Europe is assisting the Albanian prison service to further improve the treatment of prisoners with mental health disorders, by setting up a standardised system of detection, screening and treatment based on individualised treatment plans. In that direction, a working group meeting was held on 4-5 April 2023 in Pogradec, which presents continuation to the development of the SOPs for prisoners with mental health disorders and staff coaching, both organised in the framework of Horizontal Facility Programme phase II.
The event brought together 17 prison staff members directly responsible for the implementation of the SOPs in Fier and Durres prisons, coordinators at the Directorate General of Prison Administration (DGPA) and Council of Europe consultants. Strengths and weaknesses were discussed, evidencing where an enhanced focus is needed. Procedural gaps were clarified, and agreement reached on a methodology and indicators for measuring progress of the piloting. The Council of Europe is currently helping the Albanian prison service with the drafting of the operational plans in support to the SOPs application, which DGPA shall officially endorse. The full piloting of the SOPs in both prisons is expected to start in May 2023 and last over a period of five months.
The WG meeting was organized under the action “Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania”, which is part of a joint initiative of the European Union and Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye 2023-2026”.
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
Albanian prison service prepares to pilot Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for prisoners with mental health disorders
@ Council of Europe
- Diminuer la taille du texte
- Augmenter la taille du texte
- Imprimer la page
European Prison Rules
CPDL Highlights
