Food quality in penitentiaries improved: justice minister

As of now, there are 2,266 jailed people in penitentiaries, of which 966 are detained and 1,303 convicts, minister of justice Artak Zeynalyan said at the working discussion at the Human Rights Protection and Public Affairs Standing Committee.

As of now 10 convicts have declared hunger strike, two in Armavir, one in Artik, one in Vanadzor and six in Nubarashen.

The minister briefed on the situation in penitentiaries, stressing that the quality of food has considerably improved. He said the quality of bread has improved too. “I am personally visiting penitentiaries and taste the food,” the minister said.

Speaking about the reforms in the penitentiaries, Zeynalyan said that legislative changes are being initiated, according to which, life convicts or those who committed grave crimes not take their punishment in one penitentiary but be transported to others.

The minister said that this is an attempt to make the convict understand that the change of the regime of punishment is encouragement to his behavior which will predict the conditions of his punishment.

The minister said three of penitentiaries need to be changed – Goris, Nubarashen and Yerevan-Kentron.

A new one will be built to replace Goris penitentiary. Zeynalyan said they have already the territory and plan for it. Yerevan-Kentorn will be moved.

Chairperson of the committee Naira Zohrabyan asked what is being reconstructed in Nubarashen if it is going to be closed.

“280 million AMD has been allocated from the state budget addressed to reconstruction of Nubarashen and Sevan penitentiaries,” the minister said, adding that the issue with Nubarashen may last for few years while the convicts cannot be kept there in such conditions.

Speaking about medical service in penitentiaries, the minister said, it should not be under penitentiary’s subordination.