Rustam Badasyan made a tour in "Abovyan" and "Sevan" Penitentiary Institutions

Today, Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan accompanied by the Head of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, Major-General of Justice Arthur Goyunyan made a tour in "Abovyan" and "Sevan" Penitentiary Institutions to get acquainted with the holding conditions of the detained persons and convicts, the quality of the food being served under the new food supply system introduced in the penitentiary institutions, the opportunities to properly ensure the right to health care, and other issues.

During the tour, the Minister had a conversation with the people being held in the Penitentiary Institutions, inquired about their concerns, opinions on the quality of the food, visited the cells, kitchen, accommodation, gym, library, infirmaries, getting acquainted onsite with the opportunities and needs of the penitentiary institutions.

The convicts and detained persons expressed their satisfaction for the quality of food and the holding conditions; however, the main complaints concerned to the criminal cases, the postponement of court sessions fixed for applying early conditional release from punishment.

At the suggestion of Minister Badasyan, modern X-ray security scanner fixing any size and density was tested in the room for deliveries. The prohibited item was placed in a conditional hiding place and scanned, which was immediately detected and located.

Let us remind that in 2020, modern X-ray security scanners were installed in all 12 penitentiary institutions, as well as hand-held portable detectors (metal detectors). The technical re-equipment with modern devices has given an opportunity to significantly reduce the cases of penetration of prohibited items, including drugs into the penitentiary institutions. In addition, innovative devices have reduced human interference to a minimum in the checking processes, thus contributing to the prevention of corruption risks.

At the end of the tour, Minister Badasyan gave relevant instructions with regard to improving the holding conditions in "Abovyan" and "Sevan" Penitentiary Institutions and strictly maintaining anti-epidemic rules therein.

Let us also inform that from Q2 2019 until today, the water disposal network in "Abovyan" Penitentiary Institution has been completely replaced, the bathroom on the 1st floor of the isolator has been completely repaired, a new irrigation system has been installed, the auxiliary building of the Security Division was completely renovated and finished, partial repairs were carried out in the bathroom on the 2nd floor of the isolator, a total of 1233 square meters of asphalt works were carried out.

During the same period, construction works of external water disposal of "Sevan" Penitentiary Institution were carried out, one of the 2 planned cleaning stations was installed, about 300 square meters of the tin roof of the building of the institution damaged by the wind were partially repaired and fixed.