In response to a request of the Directorate General of Prisons, the Council of Europe provided a dedicated training programme which empowers prison staff to deliver cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in prisons.   

To this end, a two-day training was held on 12-13 June 2024 at the Training Centre for Prison staff in Tirana, gathering 28 psychologists from all over Albania, as well as representatives from the Directorate General of Prisons.

The training included an overview of CBT theory and its application related to different mental health disorders. It relied extensively on practical exercises, therapy demonstration, case studies and role play to perfect participants’ skills in helping prisoners improve resistance to negative thoughts and emotions. The introduction of CBT represents a positive step in connecting mental health treatment and rehabilitation efforts in Albanian prisons.

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”.