Armenian prison population stands at 2,226 people
22.02.2019,
16:17
According to Armenia’s Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan, a total of 2,266 people are incarcerated currently, including 963 arrested and 1,303 convicted persons.
YEREVAN, February 22. /ARKA/. According to Armenia’s Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan, a total of 2,266 people are incarcerated currently, including 963 arrested and 1,303 convicted persons.
Speaking at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on the Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, he said the country’s prisons could accommodate as many as 5,600 people.
According to the minister, 10 prisoners are on hunger strike now, having put forward various demands.
Zeynalyan said prison staff conducts regular checks to detect illegally stored objects, such as mobile phones, alcohol and drugs.
The minister said also the number of food parcels brought by relatives to the convicts has significantly decreased after an improvement in the quality of food served to convicts.
"I make periodical visits to correction institutions and check the quality of food. Special attention is paid to its caloric content," he added.
Zeynalyan also spoke about the planned reorganization of prison institutions, noting that prisoners convicted for life or for serious crimes are prohibited from contacting other prisoners, and measures are being taken to gradually isolate them to prevent psychological impact.
"We initiated legislative changes to introduce a phased change of security so that the conditions of the convicted person could change in accordance with his behavior," he said. -0-
Speaking at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on the Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, he said the country’s prisons could accommodate as many as 5,600 people.
According to the minister, 10 prisoners are on hunger strike now, having put forward various demands.
Zeynalyan said prison staff conducts regular checks to detect illegally stored objects, such as mobile phones, alcohol and drugs.
The minister said also the number of food parcels brought by relatives to the convicts has significantly decreased after an improvement in the quality of food served to convicts.
"I make periodical visits to correction institutions and check the quality of food. Special attention is paid to its caloric content," he added.
Zeynalyan also spoke about the planned reorganization of prison institutions, noting that prisoners convicted for life or for serious crimes are prohibited from contacting other prisoners, and measures are being taken to gradually isolate them to prevent psychological impact.
"We initiated legislative changes to introduce a phased change of security so that the conditions of the convicted person could change in accordance with his behavior," he said. -0-
