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| Minister of Justice Ulsi Manja and General Director of Prisons Admir Abrija during an inspection, photo: Facebook |
On September 18th, a monitoring group from the Ombudsman's Office observed contrasting scenes within the Durrës prison in Albania. In Building A, ordinary inmates complained of damp walls, worn-out showers, and old, worn mattresses. Meanwhile, on the second floor of Building B, a group of former high-ranking officials of the Socialist Party, accused of corruption and abuse of duty, enjoyed luxurious conditions and privileges, local media report.
Their rooms were furnished, decorated, and equipped with new beds, appliances, and personalized showers. In their section, there was even a gym for sports activities, a private kitchen, and a mini-football field—a donation from the Albanian Football Federation.
"A living room had been adapted as a cooking area, equipped with a stove, refrigerator, food storage shelves, dining table, and kitchenware," stated the Ombudsman's recommendation submitted to the prison authorities on December 20th.
VIP inmates at the Durrës prison, such as former Environment Minister Lefter Koka, ex-MP Alqi Bllako, or former Mayor of Durrës Vangjush Dako, symbolize examples of the fight against impunity in Albania. However, within a system that should guarantee equal and non-discriminatory treatment of inmates, former socialist officials were more equal than others. And they are not alone.
Data obtained by BIRN through documents, emails, and inspection reports indicate that the practice of treating inmates with double standards is a common occurrence in the Albanian prison system. This practice not only favors former high-ranking public officials but also individuals associated with organized crime or convicted of other serious crimes.
The documents also reveal that this has led to continuous security breaches in prisons, selective controls, and discrimination against the rest of the inmates.
Ombudsman Erinda Ballanca told BIRN that the prison system has taken measures to improve the situation but still faces numerous challenges.
"The system needs improvement in conditions for all inmates alike," Ballanca said, adding that some old buildings "do not meet safety conditions."
Issues of double-standard treatment and the introduction of prohibited items into prisons were exposed after a murder occurred on December 15th within the high-security prison in Peqin. However, BIRN found that such reports had been consistently sent to top prison officials, while actions taken were subject to debate.
Director General of Prisons, Admir Abrija, did not respond to BIRN's questions regarding favoritism towards a certain category of inmates in prisons until the publication of this article. Justice Minister Ulsi Manja also declined to comment, suggesting that inquiries should be directed to the General Directorate of Prisons.
In November 2023, Albania housed approximately 5,200 convicts and pre-trial detainees across a network of 16 penal institutions. Among them, 2,128 were convicted, and 3,107 were pre-trial detainees awaiting a decision.
Nearly 10% of the total prison population is concentrated in Peqin Prison in Central Albania, a facility with two high-security sections, 41 Biz regime, and additional support services.
Unlike Durrës Prison, which accommodates individuals accused of "white-collar crimes," Peqin detains the most dangerous criminals in Albania. In November 2023, about 66% of those serving life sentences and 64% of individuals convicted of organized crime nationally were housed in this institution.
On December 15, the security of Peqin Prison was severely compromised when a life-sentenced inmate, Sokol Mjacaj, killed a fellow inmate, injured another, and threatened several police officers. The weapon, a pistol along with ammunition, had been smuggled into the prison under unclear circumstances, with Mjacaj later revealing that he had hidden it for a month in a milk carton.
This incident at Peqin was not an isolated event. Almost a month earlier, another security breach had occurred, revealing favoritism and the introduction of prohibited items contrary to regulations.
BIRN obtained a video and a complaint from the Internal Control Service, indicating that a private party involving over 30 life-sentenced and other serious criminals took place inside the prison on November 20.
The convicts enjoyed ordered food, bottled water, and Coca-Cola. A clandestine cellphone recorded the inmates as they raised plastic cups suspected to be filled with rakia, a traditional Albanian alcoholic beverage prohibited for the prison population.
The event led to the suspension of the prison director, Artan Tabaku, on November 22, with Kamber Hoxha appointed in his place. However, three weeks later, Hoxha and 11 of his subordinates were arrested following Mjacaj's murder, accused of abuse of duty.
During the security hearing, Hoxha stated before the court that "Peqin Prison had turned into a hotel." Before the murder, Hoxha had conveyed similar information to the General Director of Prisons, Admir Abrija.
"Prisoners were allowed intervention/investment in rooms (reconstruction/completion), now privatized. Room intervention has greatly limited the control possibilities for security elements and prohibited items," stated a letter dated November 30.
The letter further added that inmates considered the cells their property, and accommodating other convicts in their rooms "was practically impossible."
In Peqin's two high-security sectors, according to Hoxha's letter, there were 160 empty beds, while 115 other convicts were accommodated contrary to legal acts and outside normal living and safety conditions.
The list of prohibited items found inside the prison was also extensive, including oversized refrigerators, air conditioners, ovens, microwaves, fruit squeezers, and large-sized accessories and music boxes.
The murder in Peqin Prison has not only highlighted security issues but has also impacted the privileges of the VIP inmate group in Durrës. This group, comprising a former minister, an ex-deputy, five former mayors, a prosecutor, and a former high-ranking State Police official, was temporarily transferred to Fier Prison. According to a prison police director, they had been "treated preferentially and in violation of internal prison regulations."
Nevertheless, the practice of double standards, breaking the law and regulations, extends beyond specific institutions and timeframes of penitentiary execution.
An inspection report conducted in June-July 2023 across the 16 correctional institutions, available to BIRN, exposes security breaches and severe violations of the principles of equality and non-discrimination in other penitentiary institutions.
In "Jordan Misja" Prison in Tirana, the largest pre-trial detention institution in Albania, the inspection group noted selective inspections of prohibited items.
"There were not only rooms that were not checked but also sectors that had never been touched or inspected," states the report.
In the internal regime of Vlorë Prison, double standards in the treatment of inmates were found to be pervasive.
"There were accommodated inmates staying alone in well-furnished rooms, while others were placed in some rooms referred to as quarantine rooms, without any furniture inside, without toilets, with only a bed, without a room door, just with bars," adds the report.
In Kosovo Prison in Lushnje, inspectors found an unequal allocation of space among inmates. Some rooms housed only two people, while others were "filled to capacity."
The inspection also found that in most prisons, inspections of prohibited items were fictional, night-shift employees were sleeping, and regulations for introducing prohibited items were violated.
"From the survey conducted for the procedure of checking prohibited items, it was found that the control lasted 3 minutes in a sector with 10-12 rooms, where the average control time for one room amounts to 20 seconds," quotes the report on "Jordan Misja" Prison in Tirana.