ArmenPress
Dec 10 2004

CONVICTS TO RECOVER HEALTH AT MODERN HOSPITAL

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: A senior clergyman of Armenian
Apostolic Church blessed today a new hospital built for convicts. The
ceremony was attended by prime minister Andranik Margarian, justice
and health ministers, parliament members and other officials.
The prime minister said around 700 million drams are earmarked for
major construction and repair works at correctional facilities in
order to improve the conditions in which the prison population is
kept and also to provide bigger security.
The repair of prisons is part of a broader judicial reform, funded
by the government and international donor organizations. Margarian
said the new hospital will be essential in terms of recovering the
convicts’ health condition.
Justice minister David Harutunian said the government alone is not
able to provide all necessary funds and welcomed the assistance of
other governments and organizations.
“Our major principle is to celebrate at least one victory a year,”
the minister said meaning reconstruction of a prison a year.