Directors of several Albanian prisons removed

Justice Minister Etilda Gjonaj has dismissed prison directors from office in several cities, sending them for prosecution. The minister said the dismissed directors were charged with serious violations, endangering security in prisons.

In an appearance for the media, Minister Gjonaj announced the departure from duty of the directors of the Penitentiaries in Lezha, Rrogozhina, Lusnja, Pakis, Tepelene, Saranda, (formerly convicted), Berat, Durres. The minister once announced the opening of the race for new directors in the institution.

We open the race for 23 prison directors, positions for deputy director, prison police director and the new prison director in Shkodra. No more appointments for political matters but based on human values. Until the new appointments at the helm of prisons have been commanded by professional employees”, Minister Gjonaj said. “

According to Gjonaj, the raids have recorded serious violations, violations that endanger prison safety. There are recorded cases of introduction of narcotics into prisons. The Justice Ministry, determined to implement the law, will not allow any violations. 88 criminal acts refer to the Peqi prison, while 36 other works refer to the Rogozyna prison. Despite alarm posted by the prosecution has not been acted on by this ministry before. The reasons for inaction remain unknown.

Justice ministers underlined that at least 6 cases of allowing narcotics to be introduced into prisons have been verified. In the Durres prison no longer than August, education specialist and salesman for narcotics distribution have been arrested. Repeated violations of the general regulation in the body, functioning and control are recorded. It has been counted not taking immediate measures for personnel, performing acts of exercising the violence of convicts. Just to remember the Peqi case, where they were dismissed, is calculated not taking measures to prevent corruption in the institutions they run.

“I underline the great importance that has been initiated by prosecution for all people who are terrified or those who will be shot further by us to ensure the prison system even in the future, passing from the era of impunity to the era of justice,” said Johnaj.

“We are committed to law enforcement and will not tolerate any cases of abuse or corruption for any public official who violates the law,” she added.

Contacted by BIRN Some of the dismissed prison directors told B THE news of leaving office was taken from television.

Lezha prison director Guzim Njeci said news of his dismissal had learned it in the media, but really he still calls himself in charge.

” I am still on duty, unless there is a written order where I can be communicated from my duty and why I should be removed,” said Njeci.

He added that his task is performed with much commitment, and at no time has he eliminated the internal and outside security of the prison, and no longer the country's national security.

BIRN communicated with other prison directors, who Minister Etilda Gjonaj said at a public release, but they claimed they were not familiar with any documentation for their departure.

Arjan Hoxha, former director general of prisons, noted the dismissal of prison directors admitted that there are problems in the detention institutions, but added that not always responsibilities fall on administrative leaders.

“Accountability is not direct to directors, it has more organisational administrative duties. He's part of the civil staff. The director bears responsibility for abuses of office, but the responsibility lies with the chief of police,”, Hoxha said.

However, Hoxha acknowledged that problems in Albanian prisons are numerous and too serious. He mostly identified the problem of introducing forbidden items, mainly telephone cameras, alcoholic beverages, or other items.