New Security Management Subdivision to be introduced in penitentiary institutions for implementation of internal security objectives within the institutions

The Ministry of Justice proposes to make amendments and supplements to the Law “On the Penitentiary Service”. The draft Law aims to engage and retain high-quality personnel in the Penitentiary Service, as well as significantly improve the conditions for remuneration of penitentiary officers. Currently, the functions of external protection and internal security of penitentiary institutions are performed by two separate subdivisions — the Protection Service and the Security Service. With this structure and division of functions and lack of effective interconnection between the two subdivisions entails the emergence of management issues. Meanwhile, effective operation in these areas is of paramount importance for the implementation of activities of penitentiary institutions, encompassing external protection, ensuring of internal security, prevention of new crimes and other offences within the institutions. It is for this very reason that it is necessary to establish a new Security Management Subdivision within penitentiary institutions which will encompass the functions of the two aforementioned subdivisions. This will provide the opportunity to use the potential of the officers of the newly established subdivision upon necessity, for both external protection and the ensuring of internal security of the particular penitentiary institution. It is envisaged that individuals newly admitted to the Security Management Subdivision who receive a positive evaluation upon completion of training courses, will be certified and will receive surcharge. Initially, the Security Management Subdivision will be introduced at "Sevan" penitentiary institution.