The Council of Europe is helping the Albanian authorities to introduce trauma-informed therapy in Ali Demi prison – the only prison in the country for women offenders.

In this context, a two-day training on was held on 10-11 June 2024 in Tirana, at the premises of the Training Centre for Prison Staff. The training brought together Ali Demi psychologists and social staff, as well as representatives from the Directorate General of Prisons who in cooperation with prison staff will decide on the modalities of testing the programme in the following months.

The training covered key principles of trauma-informed practice and post-traumatic emotional recovery and growth in a prison environment, with a specific focus on women in prison. The participants engaged in interactive sessions and practical exercises which helped them better understand the related issues and enhance their knowledge on how to help their patients manage trauma triggers. This initiative represents a significant step in enabling prison staff to deliver rehabilitation programmes with a trauma-informed approach.

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”.