YEREVAN. – The number of employed in Armenia’s twelve detention centers has substantially grown—by 20-30 percent—in 2011, Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan stated Tuesday at joint session of the National Assembly standing committees. 

As per the Minister, the number of deaths in prisons has reduced by approximately 30-40 percent, and no murders or escapes were recorded in the year past. But the key issues still exist.   

Tovmasyan also recalled that in 2009 it was decided to allocate AMD 140 billion (approx. $343,831,948) to modernize all twelve penitentiaries in the country. In addition, the “Assistance to Convicts” Foundation’s program has been improved, and thus those who are released from prisons receive AMD 15,000-20,000 [approx. $37-50], each, for going home.