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An Albanian group of local trainers from prison
administration is trained[1]
 22.09.2006
On 11-14 September 2006, in the premises of Doro
Hotel, in the framework of supporting Albanian prisons
administration and contributing to raise their
professional capacities, Albania Helsinki Committee
organized the activity “Train the trainers”[2].
The goal of this activity was to create a group of local
Albanian trainers that will train in future prisons’
administration as well as to prepare a curriculum in
four main topics more concretely on communication,
vulnerable prisoners, security and contacts with the
outside world. The group of Albanian trainers consisted
of 12 specialists from education sector from General
Directorate of Prisons, from almost all Albanian
prisons, and from Training Center of prison
administration. The training was accomplished by three
qualified and professional experts in penitentiary
system and in training prisons administration such as
Mr. Z. Jan van den Brand[3],
Mr. Stef van de Lande[4]
and Ms. Monique Lejenue[5].
 In
regard with the main topics of curriculum, the
participants emphasized that in order to guarantee the
observance of prisoners’ rights and freedoms, it is
necessary to have an efficient and opened communication
through all members’ staff in penitentiary institutions.
Having this said, the communication as a very important
means in the daily work of prison administration, was
discussed from different viewpoints such as inter-sector
communication, inter-personal communication of prison
personnel, communication between prison personnel and
prisoners as well as inter-institutional communication.
Another important and valuable topic from the practical
point of view was contacts with the outside world. It
includes contacts with different actors of civil society
such as prisoners’ familiars, defense lawyers, human
rights organizations, media, religious organizations
etc. The third theme of the training pointed out from
the discussion was security, meaning physical and
dynamic security. The last topic on
vulnerable prisoners was
another important issue where lots of discussions took
place in the training. The participants
identified different categories of prisoners included in
this group as well as they highlighted the importance of
special treatment of these prisoners by all prison’s
staff.
 The
training had important values for the participants, as
it was not only theoretical but also practical one. The
selection of the appropriate topics of the curriculum
was another value of this training. These topics were
considered relevant, present at the Albanian prisons’
situation and necessary to transmit in the near future
to other staff in prisons. During training days, the
participants were separated in different working groups
and were engaged in implementing certain duties related
to the topics of curriculum. At the end of the training,
the participants introduced a training model focusing on
one of the curriculum topics.
 The
training was assessed by the participants as very
important for its theoretical and practical methodology,
for the involvement of the participants in solving
problematic situations in conformity with the needs and
concrete situation of Albanian penitentiary system. The
participants assessed as very valuable the rich
knowledge given to them through the exchange of
experiences with foreign experts as well as through
efficient methods. All the participants in activity
considered this type of training as very valuable.
Another aspect highlighted from the discussions of the
participants was the importance of continuing with the
process of training the lower level staff in local
prisons. Last but not least participants appreciated the
simple ways the information was provided, the open
communication set between them and experts, their
involvement in training and implementation in practice
of the knowledge they received. At the end of the
training Ms. Vasilika Hysi, executive director of
Albania Helsinki Committee and Mr. Sajmir Shehri,
General Director of Prison distributed certificates to
the participants for successfully accomplishing this
training course.
[1]
The training was organized in the framework of
the project “Prison reform and civil society in
Albania - Monitoring the respect of HR in
Pre-detention sites and prisons and Enhancing
Awareness and Recognition of HR and Rule of Law
in this Area” financially supported by Swedish
Helsinki Committee.
[2]
This is the second time that Albania Helsinki
Committee realized this kind of training with
prison administration.
3 Director Portfolio and Coordinator of the
External Relations in the Dutch National Agency
of Correctional Institutions in the Netherlands,
at the same time, expert of the European Council
in Eastern and Central Europe.
4 Psychologist in penitentiary institution in
Netherlands.
5 Director of ELVE Management and Organisation
Center specialized in training of administration
of the penitentiary institutions.
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