** Italian oversight authorities have declared the transfer of migrants to Albania unjustified, citing critically low occupancy at the Gjader Repatriation Center (CPR) and available capacity in domestic facilities. Only 27 individuals are currently detained at the Albanian center, stated Lazio Regional Ombudsman for Detainees Stefano Anastasìa and Rome Capital Ombudsman Valentina Calderone following their inspection visit.
While acknowledging adequate staffing and resources by the facility’s operator, Medihospes, the officials raised concerns over detainees’ separation from families and legal representatives due to the center’s location. They further highlighted potential healthcare risks if on-site medical services prove insufficient and noted a lack of structured activities during prolonged detention periods.
The Gjader CPR—administered by Rome Prefecture—has 144 regulatory spaces, with 96 currently operational. A section designated for 880 newly arrived asylum seekers remains unused. Current detainees originate primarily from Algeria, Senegal, Pakistan, India, and Ghana. Since the facility’s conversion to a CPR in April 2024, 140 individuals have transited through it, with 113 released: 40 due to expired detention orders, 37 repatriated, 15 for health incompatibility, 7 granted international protection, and others for administrative reasons.
Security within the perimeter is maintained by Italian State Police, Carabinieri, and Financial Police, alongside an immigration office reporting to Rome Police Headquarters. Medihospes employs 113 staff, including medical, legal, and cultural mediation personnel.
During their visit—which included the unused 24-capacity on-site prison block—Anastasìa and Calderone interviewed all detainees who requested meetings. The inspection assessed operational protocols, conditions, and migrant flows at the CPR and adjacent Gjader prison.