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Pre-Trial Detention Regulations Should be
Respected
25.04.2007
The Albanian Helsinki Committee,
on April 17-18, 2007, conducted an observation
mission in the pre-trial detention facilities in
the Korçë Region. The goal of the observation
was to review the situation on the spot, verify
some data about poor conditions in detention
facilities and about failure to respect the
relevant Regulations that govern sites where
detainees are kept.
Observers found improvements in
the treatment of detainees after detention
facilities moved under the responsibility of the
Ministry of Justice. Detainees are allowed to
keep a TV, radio, newspapers, books, dominos,
and other items for use while in detention.
Besides, it is possible to have more meetings
and phone calls with family members, according
to the rights established in the regulations.
However, in this detention
facility, conditions are difficult and out of
standards established by the Detention
Regulations. Although capacity envisions 45-60
persons, there are currently 81 detainees in the
facility. Overcrowding makes their living
conditions difficult and is a serious violation
of article 14 of the Regulations which
stipulates, “rooms should ensure an area of no
less than 9 m3 for every detainee.”
Committee observers also found
that there was a lot of humidity and airing and
lighting were inadequate in the detention
rooms.
There were no beds in the
observed rooms, whereas mattresses were placed
on the floor.
The observed facilities featured
uncleanliness accompanied by a heavy suffocating
smell. Therefore, the administration of this
institution does not abide by the requirements
of article 16 of the Regulations that specify,
“sanitary control of the rooms and common
premises is done on a daily basis by the medical
doctor, assistant doctor, and the specialist of
the internal regime.” The observers’ group found
no documentation on shortcomings found by the
above.
Observers also found that in the
Korçë pre-trial detention facility medical
service appeared very poor. Doctor visits were
conducted only in cases of illnesses or
complaints. Detainees were not checked up before
entry into the detention rooms; no periodic
visits were used, although article 22 of the
Regulations requires the functioning of medical
service throughout the 24 hours, that medical
checkups are conducted by the institution
doctor, the dentist, or assistant doctor of the
given shift in the special premises.
AHC found that
there are no social workers or education
programs in this facility.
The Albanian
Helsinki Committee calls upon the General
Directory of Prisons to conduct relevant
inspections at all pre-trial detention
facilities and in Korçë in order to ensure
implementation of detention Regulations.
AHC suggests that
work to build the Maliq prison be accelerated as
that will have a positive impact on the
improvement of conditions for detained persons’
treatment.
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