The past year has seen a 20% increase in the number of convicts, and Armenia’s penal institutions are overcrowded, says a statement issued by 14 Armenian NGOs. By July 1, 2010, 4,850 people had been imprisoned in Armenia instead of the maximum allowable 4,386. For example, 16 to 20 prisoners live in an 8-bed ward in the Nubarashen penal institution. The prisoners have to sleep in turn – some at night others during the day. Only 2sq meters are available for each prisoner, whereas both the Armenian and international laws provide for at least 4sq meters.

As a result, prisoners have serious physical and mental health problems, which, in turn, results in conflicts. The European Court of Human Rights designates such treatment and cruel and inhuman, as well as violence, says the statement.

Among the reasons why Armenia’s penal institutions are overcrowded are a higher number of crimes and frequent application of arrest as preventive punishment by courts.

To prevent violations of human rights in the country’s penal institutions, the NGOs propose an amnesty and call on the Armenian President, Parliament, and Ministry of Justice to reform the early release system and declare a general amnesty.

The statement was signed by the Institute of Civil Society, Center of Cooperation for Democracy, Youth Center of Democratic Initiatives, Helsinki Committee of Armenia, Vanadzor-based office of the Helsinki  Civil Assembly and Information Center for Rights.