A recently released video has sparked strong reactions, as it shows several prisoners celebrating with alcohol in their Durrës prison cell, in violation of security regulations.
The footage was made public by journalist Flamur Vezaj, showing a group of people with criminal records, who are in a cell that, according to him, belongs to a high-security prison in the country. In the video, the prisoners are seen drinking alcohol, listening to loud music and using mobile phones, while some of them communicate via video calls.
Electronic devices, including a television, are also seen in the background, while a significant number of people are gathered in the same environment, celebrating and filming.
After the footage was published, the General Directorate of Prisons reacted, explaining that the video was recorded before January at the Durrës Penitentiary Institution. According to the institution, some of the individuals shown have been identified and some of them have been transferred or released earlier.
Authorities say the current situation is not what is depicted in the video, and immediately after its publication, the Internal Control Service of the Prison System was engaged, which has launched a full administrative and criminal investigation. The investigation includes not only the identified prisoners, but also the verification of the chain of command in the institution, in order to determine responsibilities at every management level.
Meanwhile, controls in penitentiary institutions have been intensified. During recent actions at the Durrës Penitentiary Institution, three mobile phones were seized, while the persons involved have been placed under disciplinary measures and are facing criminal proceedings.
