YEREVAN. – Armenia managed to reduce death cases in penitentiary institutions this year, Armenia’s Minister of Justice Hrayr Tovmasyan told the journalists on Saturday.

According to him, the penitentiary institutions adjunct to the Ministry registered 26 death cases this year, compared to 37 cases last year.

“I believe that a new institution should be built in accordance with modern standards,” Tovmasyan said. “Steps are already taken and a new institution, meeting European standards, is being built in Armenia’s Armavir Region. It may operate in the midst of 2013.”

Problem of prisoners’ employment is also being discussed. Currently there are over 4500 imprisoned people in Armenia.