The political prison in Gjirokastra had the Number 17. The prison was set up in the Gjirokastra Castle. It was described as one of the most horrible punishment sites. It was a prison inherited from the past. It consisted of a large hall as well as several cells. According to the records of the People’s Defence Division of 1946, the Gjirokastra prison had a staff of 54 people (50 soldiers, three non-commissioned officers, one officer). A special platoon of 34 men also served there.
The capacity of the prison was about 350 people.
In 1950 there were about 740 prisoners in prison. Bronchitis, malaria, rheumatism, dysentery, tuberculosis, and syphilis were the predominant diseases in the 1950s.
Researcher Kastriot Dervishi has researched and published a series of data on this prison. In his book Burgjetdhekampet e Shqipërisëkomuniste (Prisons and Camps of Communist Albania), Dervishi writes: ‘In a letter dated 12 June 1951 of Chair of the Gjirokastra Branch of Internal Affairs Jani Naska, it is understood that their conditions were terrible, and that two had died.
‘Having been isolated for a long period –two years– their health has deteriorated to such a state that they risk dying every day. We have shown special care for their state, and from time to time, we have given them food on top of the ration given by the state. Still, it has not played a great role on their health … for the very nature of the GjirokastraPrison, where prisoners are isolated for a long time and see no sun, they surely just rot, as they did,’ the report said.
This was how prisoner Shefqet Kruçi died in November 1950. According to the announcement made on 11 November 1950, his burial had been done in secret in a cell of the GjirokastraPrison. Isuf Dervina was very ill; despite the medication, his condition did not improve. Fatos Mero Rrapaj was suffering from glands in his throat, which had turned purulent. Both Fatos and Isufihad shouted, demanding that they be punished so that their families could find out where they were. A few days later, in a report dated 15 June 1951, it was said that prisoner Isuf Dervina had died the day before.
The prison– along with the Berat Prison –was closed by an order dated 26 September 1953 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The prisoners, as well as the staff, were transferred to the Vlora Prison. On 30 September 1953, the transfer of prisoners was completed.
Former prisoner Tomor Aliko testified about this prison:
“It was Dante’s Hell; it was horror, hell. Whoever was there and survived can tell. The cells were 2 x 3 m, there was a small hole in the ceiling, where a dim light penetrated, and the cement floor was always humid. The mattress was made of straws and had a rotten mat. They gave us 600 grams of bread and nothing else. ‘Every 15 days, with the permission of the investigator, some food was allowed from the families.’
The prisoners: