On 15-17 April 2023, a mission was conducted in Armenia to assess the needs of the Penitentiary Medicine Centre with a view to assisting with its efficient transfer from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Health.

The three-day mission included bilateral meetings, discussions with national partner institutions, especially the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health. International and national consultants  visited  “Armavir” and “Abovyan” penitentiaries, Prisoners’ Hospital, Abovyan Medical Centre and civil hospitals to identify and discuss the needs of the Penitentiary Medicine Centre, including shortcomings of primary and secondary healthcare and the relevant legal framework.

Following the completion of the needs assessment mission, a comprehensive assessment report will be prepared and shared with the stakeholders to be used as a road map for improving the prison healthcare system and ensuring smooth operation of the Penitentiary Medicine Centre under the administration of the Ministry of Health. A Government Decree on the transfer was adopted on 27 April 2023.

The mission was implemented within “Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons in Detention” project which is financed within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.