ArmInfo. To date, no cases of coronavirus have been detected in the penitentiary institutions of Armenia. RA Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan announced this at a press conference on April 1, adding that a number of tests for COVID-19 were conducted at the penitentiaries.
According to him, measures are being taken in penitentiary institutions to prevent the penetration of the virus. Answering the question of whether Armenia, in connection with the situation with the coronavirus, can follow Iran's example and declare an amnesty for prisoners, the minister noted that high prison load could be the basis for such decisions. Given that in Armenia this indicator is 43-44%, there is no need for such radical measures.
To recall, in order to prevent the possibility of penetration of the coronavirus into the territory of the penitentiary institution, a ban was imposed on visiting prisoners by their relatives and friends. Meanwhile, the possibility of communication is provided through video calls. In addition, a ban has been introduced on the receipt of parcels for prisoners, and when entering and leaving the detention center, everyone, including employees of penitentiary institutions, measure their temperature. For preventive purposes, disinfection of premises and territories is also carried out.