A new training framework developed with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe will help Albanian prison practitioners strengthen their skills in detecting signs of radicalisation, managing violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

The Basic and Advanced Training Manual for prison staff working with VEPs and other prisoners vulnerable to radicalisation provides the foundation for a more structured and consistent approach to professional development across Albania’s penitentiary system. It introduces a standardised methodology for applying VEP-specific tools and rehabilitation approaches while supporting the development of sustainable expertise among prison practitioners.

Twenty-two participants, representatives of the Directorate General of Prison Administration (DGPA), the Training Centre for Prison Staff and of several prisons, were introduced to the Manual, its objectives and methodology for practical implementation. Moreover, they enhanced their understanding on the difference between the basic and advanced training, former being intended for all prison staff and latter for prison staff directly working with VEPs.

The development of the Training Manual supports the DGPA in establishing a sustainable and standardised training framework for professionalisation of Albanian prison staff working with VEPs and ensuring effective knowledge transfer across the penitentiary system.

The Training Manual and subsequent presentation were conducted by the regional Action "Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in the managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release", implemented within the framework of the EU and Council of Europe joint programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkiye.