For the first time, women prisoners in Albania are benefiting from a structured Trauma-Informed Therapy programme, focusing on mental health, resilience, and dignity in prison rehabilitation.

With the support of the EU and Council of Europe and in partnership with the Directorate General of Prisons, Pojska prison – the only women’s prison in Albania - has started piloting trauma-informed therapy sessions.

Between July and September 2025, following cascade training that prepared Pojska psycho-social staff to safely deliver therapy, the programme was tested with 12 women (50% of the sentenced population in Pojska prison).

An on-site evaluation mission, which took place during 9-10 September 2025 in Pojska, showed promising results: participants felt relief and support, and developed skills to recognize and manage trauma triggers. This will be fundamental upon they release and integration back in the society and local community.

Part of the methodology involved interviews with staff, focus groups with women who participated in the programme, and planning for the upcoming months when a full piloting is envisaged.

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