Geneva, Albania needs to take additional steps to address prison overcrowding by reducing the high number of pre-trial detainees, United Nations torture prevention experts have stated after their initial visit to the country. The experts also highlighted the need to improve access to quality healthcare in detention facilities.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Vasiliki Artinopoulou, head of the delegation from the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT), emphasized the importance of reducing prison overcrowding. “The high number of pre-trial detainees is concerning. Steps must be taken without delay to reduce the prison population in Albania, as a means of preventing cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment,” Artinopoulou said.

The delegation, which visited Albania from 14 to 20 April, inspected various places of detention, including prisons, penitentiaries, police stations, and psychiatric institutions. During these visits, they conducted confidential interviews with inmates, prison guards, police officers, and healthcare personnel. The SPT delegation also conducted joint visits with Albania’s national preventive mechanism (NPM), the designated body for torture prevention in the country.

Artinopoulou noted that while measures to address overcrowding, such as the Amnesty Law and the construction of new prisons, are positive, the government must tackle the root causes of overcrowding. “The State party should accelerate criminal justice reforms while ensuring an effective implementation of alternatives to detention,” she added.

Additionally, the delegation observed inadequate access to healthcare for detainees, particularly in terms of mental healthcare. “Not only is access to healthcare, including mental healthcare, difficult, but the quality of services is also worrying. This issue sometimes poses a threat to people’s lives, causing suffering that may amount to ill-treatment,” Artinopoulou stated.

The delegation’s report, which includes its findings and recommendations, will be shared with Albania’s government. The report will remain confidential unless the state decides to make it public. The SPT will also prepare a separate confidential report for the NPM.

The SPT delegation consisted of Vasiliki Artinopoulou from Greece, Suzanne Jabbour from Lebanon, Nika Kvaratskhelia from Georgia, and Zdenka Perovic from Montenegro. The delegation was accompanied by two human rights officers from the SPT Secretariat.