In Albania, there are more detainees awaiting the court's decision than people serving their sentence. According to official data, after the criminal amnesty, there are 5106 citizens in prisons, where 1600 of them are convicted while 3164 of them are still awaiting a decision. This rate, 30% above the European average, brings a damage of millions of euros to the state, violates human freedoms and rights and is followed by many social problems. But why does Albania issue so many prison sentences for people who are still in the trial process and does not follow the European practice, where prison arrest is considered the last and most extreme measure?
"31 Minutes" is developed in cooperation between the Albanian Center for Quality Journalism and Opinion, with the financial support of the Public Relations Office of the United States Embassy in Tirana.
