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Meeting with the General Director
of Prisons
16.06.2006
 Today,
on 08.06.2006, AHC, represented by Ms. Edlira Papavangjeli, Program Coordinator,
and Mr. Jan van den Brand, Regional General Director in the Netherlands, met
with the General Director of Prisons, Mr. Saimir Shehri.
Some of the issues raised with Mr. Shehri were: results achieved during work
sessions organized in the Lezhë prison with the prison and detention
administration, precisely on June 5-7, 2006.
Among other things, AHC representatives praised the work done by the Lezhë
prison administration with regard to the survey of convicts on their interest in
their potential employment in the institution as well as measures undertaken on
the possibility of employing convicts. AHC representatives also praised the
positive atmosphere felt in the Lezhë prison as found during a direct meeting
with convicts and detainees.
 Mr.
Van den Brand also pointed out the fact that four juveniles are kept at the
prison, in the detention facility and, although it was found that juveniles were
offered special space and daily program from that for adults, it was emphasized
that it would be important to look at the possibility of accommodating juveniles
at institutions including sections especially for juveniles. Mr. Shehri would
follow the issue further and would evaluate it maximally in order to take the
necessary measures according to legal provisions.
Mr. Van den Brand also conveyed the concern raised by some employees about
making things easier for them when they are transferred to work at places far
away from their residences. Again, Mr. Shehri promised to look at this concern.
 Another
very important issue on which the meeting focused was AHC’s outline of plans for
future collaborations in the area of training for prisons administrations at all
three levels: the basic, medium, and senior ones of Albanian prisons,
interventions and special attention to the Prison Training center and concrete
support, training, and counseling for the new administration of two new prisons
that will soon be opened in Fushë Krujë and Korçë. Mr. Shehri expressed his own
and his institution’s interest in the above and assured the AHC that these
activities would be essential and fully coincided with priorities established by
the GDP in this area. Mr. Shehri also expressed his determination to collaborate
as worthy partners throughout this process to guarantee its continuity, after
this project is completed. A collaboration agreement will be finalized soon to
institutionalize potential cooperation.
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