Galoyan on the Increase of Self-Harm Incidents in Prisons

We have decided to have monitoring cells very soon because we have come to the conclusion that the only way to prevent this type of behavior is to monitor individuals who are prone to self-harm. This was stated by Justice Minister Surbuhi Galoyan during a briefing with reporters today, September 3, while discussing a recent incident of self-harm recorded in one of the penitentiary institutions.

“We still need to balance the right to privacy with the right to life to understand correctly at what point we should transfer individuals to appropriate cells. Additionally, we are having ongoing discussions with our partners from the Ministry of Health. The registration of individuals with mental health issues is nearly complete. Changes are being made to Decision 825 to revisit the proportionality of punishment for these individuals, and if there are grounds, we will exempt them from serving their sentences,” she added.

In response to a journalist's question about why most self-harm incidents occur in the Armavir penitentiary institution, Galoyan replied, “The Armavir penitentiary institution is the largest prison, where the majority of individuals deprived of liberty are held.”

In response to a journalist's observation that there have been complaints about the conditions of detention lately, the minister stated, “I find it hard to recall a time when more renovations have taken place in common cells and when the conditions of punishment have improved more than now. Last year, numerous works were carried out, starting from ensuring round-the-clock water supply to renovating individual cells. Recently, we have been busy with the renovation works of the quarantine department of the Armavir penitentiary. The Abovyan penitentiary can be said to be almost completely renovated. Now we are conducting an examination regarding the timelines for closing the Nubarashen penitentiary. We will have a final decision within a month, which will mean that we will have an alternative prison. We may renovate another facility, expand it, and relocate detainees,”