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Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan has stressed that the results of penitentiary system reforms must be felt by every person deprived of liberty through their treatment, access to medical care, detention conditions, education, employment, and opportunities to maintain contact with their families.
She made the remarks in a congratulatory message marking the 107th anniversary of the establishment of the Penitentiary Service.
The message was presented on November 13 at the opening of an event titled “From Punishment to Resocialization: A Modernizing Penitentiary Service” by Aram Minasyan, Head of the Department for the Protection of Human Rights in the Field of Criminal Justice and the Armed Forces at the Human Rights Defender’s Office.
Manasyan stressed that modernizing the system also entails changing mindsets and day-to-day work.
“I have consistently emphasized that it is impossible to build a new system using old approaches. I remain convinced today that modernizing the penitentiary system requires changes in mindset, professional culture, and everyday practices. The results of the reforms must be felt by every person through their treatment, access to healthcare services, detention conditions, education, employment, and opportunities to maintain contact with their families,” the message reads.
The Human Rights Defender highlighted the importance of partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the Penitentiary Service, stressing that cooperation must lead to the timely resolution of identified problems.
“I want to particularly emphasize that the effectiveness of our cooperation must be reflected in timely responses to identified problems and tangible changes in the lives of persons deprived of liberty,” Manasyan said.
Addressing resocialization, she stressed the need for an individual approach that takes into account each person’s needs, abilities, and difficulties. Education, the development of professional skills, employment, and psychological and social support must create real opportunities for preparing to return to society.
Manasyan also welcomed the discussion held as part of the workshop with the participation of persons deprived of liberty.
“Their experiences and the issues they raise are important for determining the direction of reforms and assessing the results of the steps being taken. Making a person’s voice heard in decisions concerning them is an essential condition for a participatory, rights-based approach,” the message states.
The Human Rights Defender also linked the reform of the system to the continuous training of personnel and improvements in their working conditions.
“Personnel must have the necessary knowledge and practical skills to make lawful decisions in complex situations, de-escalate tensions, prevent violence, and recognize the needs of people in vulnerable situations. Achieving these goals also requires decent working conditions, adequate remuneration, and professional support for personnel,” Manasyan said.
She highlighted the job fair and exhibition of handicrafts made by persons deprived of liberty organized as part of the event, stressing the need to continue such initiatives through sustainable cooperation and the creation of genuine employment opportunities.
Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan delivered opening remarks at the event, while Penitentiary Service Chief Tsovinar Tadevosyan presented the Service’s work and its main areas of activity.
Laura Gasparyan, Coordinator of the National Preventive Mechanism at the Human Rights Defender’s Office and Head of the Department for the Prevention of Torture and Ill-Treatment, participated in one of the panel discussions, titled “Developing Personnel Capacities in the Context of Systemic Reforms.”