Prison facilities have received new phones
According to the Ministry of Justice, new anti-vandal, card-operated phones have been acquired and installed in 10 correctional facilities.
The new system is designed to provide free calls to important phone numbers such as the Human Rights Defender, the Ministries of Justice and Health, the Penitentiary Service, and other hotlines. In addition, incarcerated individuals are given the opportunity to make 20 minutes of free calls per month to fixed and mobile networks in Armenia at the expense of public funds.
After using the free minutes, a new, significantly reduced rate has been set for calls, with each minute costing 8.91 drams instead of the previous 18-35 drams.
The Ministry has announced that the program is nearing its final stages.
Recently, the Ministry of Justice also reported another change in correctional facilities. Inmates are now allowed to use the toilet twice a week, as opposed to only once before.