As part of the ongoing co-operation between the Council of Europe and the national authorities, Armenia has established a solid foundation for deploying telemedicine solutions within prison healthcare where evident progress has been made in advancing the use of telemedicine across Armenia’s penitentiary healthcare system. 

This initiative aims to enhance access to specialised medical care for persons deprived of liberty, improve of healthcare efficiency, and ensure continuity of care across institutions. By connecting prison facilities with civilian hospitals, telemedicine bridges the gap between prison and community healthcare, enabling regular consultations with specialists, continuous monitoring of chronic conditions, and quicker responses to medical needs while maintaining safety and security within the institutions.

As part of these efforts, on-site support was provided to 10 penitentiary healthcare units across Armenia, between September and November 2025. This included a tailored assessment of the existing infrastructure, equipment, and technical readiness of each facility for telemedicine implementation, while also providing on-the-spot mentoring and practical guidance to healthcare staff on the use and maintenance of telemedicine systems. The findings, lessons learned, and recommended follow-up actions will support the sustainable integration of telemedicine in the penitentiary healthcare system.

As a result, eight of Armenia’s largest civilian hospitals, have joined the initiative, establishing a framework for telemedicine consultations and specialist support between prison and civilian healthcare providers. New financial and regulatory mechanisms, now ensure reimbursement for medical consultations provided through telemedicine, creating the foundation for a sustainable and scalable system.

These activities are part 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.