Visits with Inmates Have Turned Into a True Dramatic Film: 'Iravunk'

'Iravunk' newspaper writes: 'There is a tense atmosphere in correctional facilities. The relatives of inmates have found themselves in a hopeless situation, as visits have turned into a true dramatic film. The problem is that according to a decision from the government, relatives can only visit inmates if the detainee has either a PCR test or is vaccinated against the coronavirus. According to relatives, even if the inmate willingly states that they are ready to get vaccinated just to allow the visit, the issue is not resolved.

Sources say that the prison administration claims that inmates need to register for vaccination and it is unknown when their turn will come. Moreover, one month must pass after vaccination before they are allowed to have a visit. For a PCR test, they require the inmate to pay 15,000 drams, and even in that case, it is unclear when the testing will be organized, since the inmate must be taken to a clinic for that. After this, only within three days can the visit take place.

This means that to see family members twice a month, the inmate must pay 30,000 drams for testing. Where they are supposed to get this money seems to concern neither the government nor the 'architect' of this idea, the Minister of Health.

‘They have put us under a shoe, doing whatever they want,’ said a relative of one of the inmates in an interview with 'Iravunk' regarding the situation.'