Epress.am News from Armenia
On Jul. 5, the RA Ministry of Justice Support to Prisoners foundation (note: this is a translation from the Armenian. English variant could not be confirmed) organized an exhibit and sale of work created by prisoners in Armenia’s penal institutions. On display were pieces by 37–40 prisoners (including women and minors) from 7 penitentiaries.
According to foundation director Karlen Torosyan, whether the pieces have great artistic significance or not is not important.
“What’s important is that they’ve already begun to work and that work inspires them more. Today’s event, which is dedicated to the Constitution, is not a mere formality, and they all know that today we’re taking steps to improve their conditions,” he said.
Some pieces have already been handed over to a few stores in Yerevan, including the shop selling souvenirs on Abovyan St. The profit from the sale of the work, according to the foundation director, is given to prisoners, with whom they’ve signed a contract.
“We don’t have the right to give cash [to prisoners directly]. Every prisoner has a [bank] account, we transfer [the money] to the penitentiary’s accounting department, he gets it there, it goes on his card that he’s received this much money and has the right to spend it,” explained Torosyan.
With the money, Torosyan added, the prisoner can go buy items from the local kiosk.
Armenian justice minister Hrayr Tovmasyan paid a visit to the exhibit Tuesday, where he purchased a copy of a Minas Avetisyan painting for 15,000 drams (about $40 USD).