The Ombudsman is conducting an unannounced inspection today and tomorrow at Shenkoll prison, within the framework of its mandate as the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture.

Preliminary findings are concerning. The inspection team noted severe overcrowding of the accommodation facilities and a significant lack of medical personnel, in relation to the health needs of the prisoners. Such conditions violate human dignity and the minimum standards of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).

"The main problem is that it should have been a high-security hospital, not a prison with two psychiatrists," declared the Ombudsman, Endrit Shabani, after the inspection.

During the inspection, accommodation conditions, health care, complaint registers are being verified and private conversations are being held with prisoners, without the presence of the institution's staff.

After the inspection is completed, the Ombudsman will forward the full report with the findings and concrete recommendations to the Ministry of Justice and the General Directorate of Prisons. The institution will compare the findings with last year’s inspection of Shenkoll prison to verify their implementation.

Prison conditions are not a matter of mercy or favor, but a constitutional obligation of the state towards every person under its care.