Skopje, 9 November 2023 (MIA) - Although infrastructure was renovated and improved in a number of prison facilities, conditions in parts of Idrizovo prison and other detention facilities of the prison system remain inhumane, and reported overcrowding raises additional concerns for prison population.  

The European Commission notes in its latest progress report on North Macedonia that these are issues raised in previous years which remain pending. 

"Issues raised in the previous years remain pending, especially the lack of appropriate working conditions for police officers and the lack of adequate healthcare in prisons," reads the report. 

The appointment of a new acting Head of the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions and an acting Director of Idrizovo prison was a positive step, taking account of their relevant professional backgrounds, but the lack of adequate healthcare or measures to treat drug addiction in prisons remains an issue of serious concern. 

"However, the requirements of the 2019 Law on executions of sanctions for the selection of prison management were not consistently applied. Regular inspections of prisons should continue. Corruption in prisons continues to be a recurrent issue. In 2022, a plan for the prevention of corruption in the national prison system 2022-26 was adopted, together with the 2023 annual plan. Despite a positive effort to incentivise medical staff working in prisons with a hardship allowance, the lack of adequate healthcare or measures to treat drug addiction in prisons remains an issue of serious concern. In order to be fully implemented, the 2021-2025 strategy for developing the prison system requires funds, additional staff and political commitment," says the European Commission. 

As regards the probation system, the European Commission notes that it continues to develop, and the number of cases is increasing.  

"In 2022, the total number of cases handled by the 11 probation offices increased to 475 (451 in 2021). Cooperation should continue between the public and private sector and civil society, and between agencies. Coordination has improved between probation officers, judges, public prosecutors, prison staff and other institutions before a convict is released and this should continue. The concentration of most of the probation cases in the Skopje Basic Criminal Court of, highlights the need for training and awareness raising on the benefits of probation in other courts in the country," reads the paper. 

It adds that no progress was made in adopting amendments to the legal framework regarding alternative sentences and alternative procedures to increase their use. 

"No meaningful progress was made in addressing the overall lack of purposeful educational, recreational and vocational activities for sentenced and remand prisoners. Educational and resocialisation services, and treatment programmes should be run in all penitentiary facilities and educational correctional facilities," reads the EC report.