TIRANA, May 16 /ATA/ – By Maela Marini/ “We found the penitentiary system in a miserable situation, whereas less than 2 years ago we have made a radical and consistent improvement increasing its security,” Minister of Justice, Etilda Gjonaj, stated on Thursday.
In a questions and answers’ session held at the request of MP Lefter Maliqi, minister Gjonaj provided an overview of penitentiary system situation in the country as well as the measures taken for reformation of this system.
Gjonaj said we have intervened in entire system focusing on respect for human rights of convicts and those in pre-detention, increase of security as well as reduction of corruption.
“These institutions face difficulties and challenges as they have to deal with high-risk convicts, structured criminal groups, persons involved in extremism or terrorism, juveniles in contact with the law, women and persons with serious psychological problems or people who have experienced family traumas. They need to be handled with diligence in addition to guaranteeing security in these institutions,” Gjonaj said.
She added that for the first time, in early 2018 the approach to recruitment of police and civilian personnel has changed, especially for the Prison Police directors. “When I took office, the directors were appointed by party affiliations, their duty was irrelevant to administration, management or operation of such an institution. Employment lists were made by MPs or party structures. For more than a year now, prison employees are recruited under a standard system by Security Academy in cooperation with General Directorate of Prisons, “said Gjonaj.
She said that the penitentiary system is not marred by party-oriented recruitment, the staff work with moral and professional integrity.
Gjonaj said that for the first time in the last 10 years the wage of Prison Police workforce has increased by 7%”. As many as 3431 employees benefited pay raise through a fund of ALL 84 mln,” she said.
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