On November 29 the
official opening ceremony of the first building of “Armavir” penitentiary
institution was held. Serj Sargsyan, the President of the Republic of Armenia,
was present at the opening.

The first
building to be exploited hosts 400 convicts. The second and third buildings
which will host 800 convicts are to be put into operation by the end of 2015.

 “Armavir” penitentiary institution is the
biggest in Armenia. According to the people responsible in this sphere, it
meets the international standards.

The building which is put into operation is divided into two wings and
has overall 96 cells each of which is intended to host four inmates. Every cell
has a bathroom. The space is 16-17 sq m (without the bathroom).

The institution has long-visit rooms and a two-surgery in-treatment
hospital has been built for 120 convicts. Hovhannes Manukyan, the Minister of
Justice, mentioned that the use of the institution will improve the everyday
conditions of the inmates and the problems of other overloaded penitentiary
institutions will be somewhat unburdened and solved. According to the Minister,
400 convicts from other penitentiary institutions will be moved to “Armavir”
soon. When the question concerning the criteria of choosing the inmates to be
moved was asked, the Minister answered that the decision would be made by the
heads of the penitentiary institutions based on the level of overcrowding.

The guests and
journalists present at the event were taken for a tour round the penitentiary
institution.

It is to be recalled that the building activity of “Armavir”
penitentiary institution was launched in 2007. The aim of the new building was
to unburden other overcrowded penitentiary institutions. The construction works
were suspended in 2009-2010 because of financial problems. However, the
building process was relaunched in 2011. The institution is intended for
approximately 1200 convicts. 1152 inmates are expected to live in the cells,
while the other 48 will be placed in special rooms for convicts located in the
dormitory section of the service department.

The space of the penitentiary institution will be provided with
security and fire-alarm systems, around 150 pieces of mobile and immobile
observation equipment and 4 watchtowers. Electroconvulsive security system is
installed along the perimeter. The barbwire fences are approximately 6 meters
high.

Photos by Hra.am