YEREVAN. – The Armenian government wants to show that protection of convicts’ rights is a political responsibility, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in the parliament.

The changes in penitentiaries and improvement of conditions for inmates are essential.

Head of the government added that  thanks to the alternative meal plan in penitentiaries, social problems of hundreds of Armenian families were solved.

“Hundreds of families became unhappy as they sell their belongings and property to send the funds to penal institutions. We will create decent conditions for the citizens of Armenia to protect the rights of citizens who are imprisoned, as well as their families, so that they are not in an even worse situation due to the influence of criminal circles. We will stand next to these families and protect the dignity of convicts,” he said.