EC funds new pre-trial detention centre in Vlora

VLORA, Feb. 25 – Albanian Justice Minister Enkelejd Alibeaj and European Commission Ambassador Helmuth Lohan last week inaugurated the new Pre-Trial Detention Centre in Vlora, funded with 3.7 million euro from Brussels. Strengthening the functioning of the Albanian Judicial and Penitentiary system, in accordance with European Union and international standards, is one of the key aims of the European Commission’s cooperation with the Government of Albania in the Stability and Association Process.
“I am convinced that the new Centre will help Albania move to implementation of new standards in an area that is so important for civil and human rights”, said Lohan. “Improving the capacity and quality of pre-trial detention facilities, creating better living conditions for pre-trial detainees and reducing overcrowding in cells are significant steps in this direction”. The Pre-Trial Detention Centre at Vlora provides accommodation for men, juveniles and women who are pre trial inmates, medical facilities, a visitors’ area, workshops, offices, laundry and a kitchen. The Centre has room for 115 detainees. The gross floor area is 6.700 m2.
The “Masterplan for the Albanian Pre-Trial Detention System” identified the construction and furnishing of the Pre-Trial Detention Centre in Vlora as a priority investment. The Masterplan was created with the assistance of a joint project between the Austrian Ministry of Justice in cooperation with the Slovak Republic’s General Directorate of Prisons on the one hand, and the Albanian Ministry of Justice and its General Directorate of Prisons on the other. The Masterplan provides a complete overview of the pre trial detention and makes recommendations for investments in the sector.
The design of six additional Pre-Trial Detention Centers identified in the Masterplan (Fier, Elbasan, Berat, Gjirokaster, Kukes, Shkodra) will be funded with EU assistance programs beginning in May 2008. This will be followed by the construction of the Fier and Elbasan Pre-Trial Detention Centers with EU financial support. Discussions about EU funding of additional construction activities are currently under way.