Minister of Justice introduces newly-appointed head of Penitentiary Department

Today, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Davit Harutyunyan introduced Rafael Hovhannisyan, appointed to the position of the Head of the Penitentiary Department under the decree of the President of the Republic of Armenia to the employees of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia.

The Minister congratulated Rafael Hovhannisyan on his appointment, emphasising that he highly appreciates his professional experience within the penitentiary system, which will certainly help provide effective and prompt solutions to the problems and challenges facing the sector. Minister Harutyunyan stated that implementation of reforms in the penitentiary sector aimed at improving the system of conditional early release, modernising medical services, improving the living conditions at penitentiary institutions, the conditions for holding convicts and the quality of food, is of primary significance for him; thus, he instructed the newly appointed Head of the Penitentiary Department of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia to submit to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia his vision for development of the penitentiary system as soon as practicable and to be consistent with effective implementation of the reforms already undertaken.

Rafael Hovhannisyan expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Armenia and to the Minister of Justice for trusting him and promised to do his utmost to solve the problems facing the penitentiary system completely and within a very short period of time.

The Minister also thanked former Head of the Penitentiary Department Artur Osikyan for his activities, wishing him more success.