North Macedonian ministers call for regional fight against prison organized crime

At a regional conference organized by the OSCE Mission in Skopje, North Macedonian officials emphasized the need for coordinated regional responses to combat organized crime within prison systems in Southeast Europe.

Minister of Internal Affairs Panče Toshkovski warned that organized crime in correctional facilities is not an isolated issue, as criminal structures maintain networks and influence even after incarceration. He identified vulnerabilities such as prison overcrowding, inadequate detention methods, and the risk of corruption affecting prison staff.

Minister of Justice Jeton Shasivari stated that criminal networks operate across borders, requiring faster intelligence exchange and better institutional coordination. He highlighted recent reforms in North Macedonia, including the hiring of 100 new officials, the creation of prison intelligence units in Idrizovo, Štip, Prilep, and Skopje, and a 25 million euro investment for facility construction to meet European standards.