Toshkovski: Organised crime in prisons requires a joint and coordinated response

Minister of Internal Affairs Panche Toshkovski warned that organised crime operating from inside prisons cannot be treated as an isolated penitentiary problem and said it poses a risk to the integrity of institutions and the whole criminal justice system. He made the remarks at a regional conference titled "Organised Crime in Prisons: Strengthening Integrity, Intelligence and Cooperation in Southeast Europe", convened by the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

Prison vulnerabilities demand joined-up action

In his address Toshkovski urged authorities to recognise the structural weaknesses that enable criminal networks to keep functioning after offenders are deprived of liberty. "We must openly recognise vulnerabilities. Overcrowding, how pre-trial detention is applied, underdeveloped alternatives, the risk of recruiting vulnerable people and the possibility of corrupt influence create a space that criminal structures exploit. At the same time, pressure, intimidation and corruption can directly undermine the integrity and resilience of prison staff. These challenges are real and must not be underestimated," he said.

Toshkovski stressed that integrity should be a central pillar of the response: clear professional standards, responsible management, effective mechanisms for vetting and preventing corruption, and institutional support so staff can resist pressure and undue influence.

He singled out intelligence work inside correctional facilities as particularly important, noting that timely risk identification depends on good information, careful analysis and effective information-sharing between prison services, the police, the Prosecutor's Office and other competent bodies.

"None of these measures can deliver full results without cooperation. From prevention and investigation, through prosecution and trial, to the execution of sentences — institutions must regard crime as a shared challenge. Only through coordinated operational mechanisms, efficient exchange of information, joint training and clear procedures to protect integrity can we build resilient institutions that safeguard both security and human rights," Toshkovski added.

Reflecting on the regional dimension, he warned that transnational criminal networks, corruption risks, pressure on staff and the lack of effective intelligence exchange cross borders and require a coordinated, integrated and long-term approach. He also welcomed the OSCE Mission to Skopje's role in fostering regional dialogue and practical cooperation, and said the Ministry remains committed to deepening partnerships to strengthen prisons and the resilience of the criminal justice system across Southeast Europe.

Photo: МВР