A specialised and nationally accredited training course for prison healthcare staff was successfully developed and implemented for the first time in Armenia through close collaboration between the Prison Medicine Centre and the National Institute of Health. This pioneering initiative represents a major milestone in strengthening the professional capacity and institutional standards of healthcare within the penitentiary system.

The accredited course provides a structured, high-quality framework for continuous professional development of prison medical personnel, ensuring that healthcare delivery in prison settings meets national and international standards. By focusing on critical areas such as chronic and infectious disease management, emergency healthcare, and communicable disease control, the programme directly contributes to improving health outcomes and reducing public health risks both within prisons and in the wider community.

For the first time, prison healthcare staff now have access to a recognised, evidence-based, and accredited training pathway tailored specifically to the realities and challenges of the penitentiary system.

The training of trainers (ToT) was held on 15–17 October 2025 in Yerevan and brought together ten medical specialists from the Prison Medicine Centre. The programme focused on developing both professional and teaching competencies, enabling participants to train future healthcare staff within the penitentiary system. The participants  were equipped with the skills to deliver the accredited course independently, ensuring institutional ownership and long-term sustainability.

This event took place within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Further Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty”, implemented under the Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026.