Femi Sufaj has an educational background in Police Studies (B.A. at the Albanian Polica Academy) and History (B.A. at “Luigj Gurakuqi” University), he graduated from Tirana University (Albania) obtaining an M.A. in Modern History and currently pursuit a PhD with a dissertation about “Penal Policies during communist regime in Albania”. He is an Education Specialist with experience in teaching as he worked as a teacher, and then School Director in the Diber Education Department, and as Chief of education Sector in the Pre-trail Center “Jordan Misja”. He covered the position of Deputy Director in several locations, such as the Pre-trail Center “Jordan Misja”, Vaqarr Priso and the Pre-trail Center “Mine Peza”. In his career in the National Prison Administration he formerly was Chief of Human Resources and he is now the director of the Penitentiary Training Center. He also works as a researcher with the Refraction Association. Throughout the years he has published different articles in scientific magazines about penal policies, imprisonment and human rights.

QUESTION.- Please could you give us a brief introduction to your activities in relation to juvenile justice, as a professional involved in this field?

ANSWER.- I am working in prison system for 18 years.My last job that I have is Head of Prison Training Center.I have conducted severel studies, including the justice system for juveniles.

Q.- What is the current situation of children and young people in Albania? What are the effects of the socio-economic situation in Albania on the rights of children?

A.- Republic of Albania has a population of 3,320,000 inhabitants, of which 1,306,000 nearly 40% of the total population is under 18 years old. The protection of children's rights is one of the most important social policies in Albania. These policies are based in the fundamental principles of the Constitution of Albania, the UN Conventions and other international instruments ratified by the Albanian Government.

Q.- What are the current tendencies and expressions of juvenile crime in Albania and the possible causes thereof?

A.- The data study of children criminality, as a subject of crime, but also as a victim, shows that a considerable number of children are involved in criminal behavior. Statistics of the last ten years shows that 4 - 6% persons involved in crimes were under 18 years old.

Q.- Which policies or strategies have been adopted by past and present Albanian governments in order to develop childcare systems and improve juvenile crime prevention?

A.- The state policies for protecting children are based on the adaption of these standards:

- National Strategy for Children and Action Plan 2001-2005

- National Strategy for Children and Action Plan 2005-2010 - National Strategy for Youth, 2007-2013

- National Strategy and Action Plan for the Fight against child trafficking, child protection and trafficking victims, 2005-2007.

- Report about CRC implementation to the Committee on the Rights of the Child to the UN

Q.- Which preventive measures for juvenile delinquency are provided in the Albanian justice system?

A.- 1. The establishment of structures and provision of sufficient financial and human resources to realize the obligations deriving from the Child Right Convention and the National Strategy for Children creating.

2. Providing equal opportunities for all children, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, birth status, etc.

3. The continuation of the process that ensures respect for the interests of children, the right to information and freedom of expression and participation in all matters relating to family, school and other institutions.

4. Establishment of a system of institutions and taking the necessary measures to protect children from all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse.

5. Provide help for children living in family environment, and when necessary provision of alternative care with a priority those families living with social care assistance.

6. Perfecting the legal framework in the field of adoptions through the Albanian Adoption Committee.

7. Improved care to create equal opportunities to disabled children.

8. Improving care and health service for mother and child within the national standards of this service.

9. Construction of modern education system, ensuring that all children learn in appropriate conditions and complete compulsory education.

10. Reducing the number of children who work and ensuring their protection system.

11. Reduce the number of street children and establishing services that protect and help them.

Q.- Is there a specific judicial system for juveniles in your country? What is the philosophy of the legislation concerning minors in conflict with law? What are the age limits with regard to criminal responsibility and transfer to adult court?

A.- There are established special sections for minors and juveniles in courts and prosecution offices in different districts with presidential decree nr 5351, data 11.06.2007. Since 2007 the entire pre-trail system is under the management and responsibility of the Ministry of Justice The age of criminal responsibility in Albania is 14 years old for penal acts and 16 years old for offenses

Q.- Which kinds of measure or sanction are applied to minors in conflict with the law? What is the situation of young offenders deprived of their liberty?

A.- Implementation of alternative sentences, fragmentation of the sentence given by the court and other measures are now in place in the criminal justice system in Albania. Since 2009 the Probation Service is a new service in place.Over 1000 persons in conflict with the law are under the supervisions in probatin service,150 of them are children

Q.- What proportion of young offenders is given a custodial sentence? How many children received such a sentence in 2009? What was their age range?

A.- Their average age were 12.6 year old.(You can see before).

Q.- With regard to detention conditions, do juvenile offenders share their cells with adult detainees or are they placed in separate wings?

A.- Law No. 8328 date 16.4.1998, amended, foreseen that minors have to be sent in special institutions for minors and not to prisons where are placed adults. These institutions have to fulfill special requirements such as dealing with information of minors, communication and visits, hygienic sanitary conditions, developing educational programs for children including here basic education, etc.

Q.- Aside from imprisonment, does the Albanian criminal code provide alternative measures for juvenile offenders? Are these measures used by the courts?

A.- 105 minors are in prison and 150 are in probation service.

Q.- What are the conditions of juvenile offenders in pre-trial detention? Are the rights to education, medical assistance and family contact ensured for young offenders that are subject to pre-trial detention?

A.- During 2009 is opened a modern center for the treatment of minors in Kavaja, with a capacity of 40 minors and the space of the area 14 939 m². The center is designed according to the requirements and standards foreseen in the legislation. There are residential premises to 7 m² for each child, sports fields, libraries, classrooms, spaces for activities, hygienic sanitation facilities, and many workshop spaces. The total investment of this prison is 2 million euros. During 2008 there are opened 5 new institutions that have also special sections for minors in custody.

Q.- How have educational and social-reintegration measures, provided for in Albanian juvenile law, been implemented? Can you please give us some information about the situation of young adults and probation services?

A.- We have psychologist, doctor, social worker and teacher in minors institutions. We are implementing a program according to the experience of the Netherlands "You Turn" which aims at preparing children for reintegration.

Q.- What resources are available for helping youths with psychological and/or mental health needs in Albania (including both minors living with increased risk factors and actual offenders)? Are there any official units dedicated to this target group?

A.- A project about mental health in all prison system and harm reduction, is implemented.