Wednesday, August 14 2024 10:04

ArmInfo. In 2024, the RA  Ministry of Internal Affairs is planning to reduce the number of  pre-trial detention centers in the country by 30%, as stated in their  message.  The primary goal of this step is to establish conditions  for detainees that align with international standards.  

The funds saved from optimization will be used to improve the detention  conditions in other detention centers. "Pre-trial detention centers  must comply with international standards," said Armen Mkrtchyan, Head  of the Department for the Development and Monitoring of Strategic  Planning Policy of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs. "It was  decided to reduce the number of detainees in centers with the  smallest capacity, as well as those with inadequate furniture and  conditions." 

In the years 2022-2023, a research was conducted to  study conditions in pre-trial detention centers. The facilities with  unfavorable conditions were optimized, with consideration given to  their workload and living conditions. As a result of the research, 8  out of 33 detention centers have already been closed,  and another  center is scheduled to be shut down in the near future.  

"Based on the results of the research, we found that not all police pre-trial  detention centers operate at full capacity. For example, there are  pre-trial detention centers where only one or two detainees are held  annually," says Armen Mkrtchyan.  In order to effectively implement  the process, a working group was created by order of the Minister of  Internal Affairs, consisting of employees of various departments  within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As part of the police  reform, monitoring activities will continue to identify any  additional needs and establish an optimization schedule.