The EU and the Council of Europe are assisting the Albanian prison service to establish a structured and standardised practice to support prisoners with mental health disorders upon admission, in line with the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture .  

As part of efforts to expand this practice in more prisons across Albania, 25 representatives from 3 prisons and 2 pre-trial detention facilities, gathered on 18-19 February 2026 to build their skills in working with inmates affected by mental health disorders. The event served to share best practices from Durres pilot project, testing initial screening methodology in a safe environment, and planning the roll out in Fushë Kruja, Peqin, Jordan Misja and Mine Peza facilities.

In 2023 the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the multidisciplinary treatment of prisoners with mental health disorders was successfully piloted in Durrës and Fier prisons. Both institutions report that the Initial Screening methodology as part of the SOPs, has proven beneficial. It is now standard practice and is effectively used by the general practitioners in both prisons.

At the conclusion of the event, participants developed an action plan for each of the prisons and pre-trial detention facilities where the initial screening methodology will be piloted. Prison authorities agreed to implement the pilot between April and June 2026, with a goal of screening at least 40 prisoners upon admission. The application of the initial screening methodology for mental health disorders in prison is expected to improve early detection of mental health disorders and quicker referral to psychiatrists. This will facilitate a more effective treatment for new prisoners and pre-trial detainees, in line with Council of Europe recommendations.

This event was conducted in the framework of the action on “Enhancing the protection of Human Rights of prisoners in Albania” part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme ”Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.