Ilham Aliyev viewed conditions created in newly-built modern penitentiary facilities in Baku

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has viewed the conditions created in the newly-built modern penitentiary facilities for a vulnerable group in society - women and juveniles - in Baku.

In contrast to the penitentiary facilities built in the past that no longer met the requirements of the time, a proper environment has been created in new facilities. The new premises have created recreation opportunities, psychological counseling, prayer rooms, and other amenities. Craftwork areas have been set up for prisoners to engage in work.

Necessary infrastructure has been created in both facilities for prisoners to spend their leisure time effectively, to do sports, engage in education and study various specialties. There is a library, a reading room and a computer room equipped with the necessary literature.

Under the President's instructions to expand production areas and involve entrepreneurs and businessmen in this activity, prisoners will be engaged in weaving, carpet weaving, sewing and baking activities in the production area established at the new locations.

The two-story medical unit of the facility features doctor's rooms, examination and diagnostic areas and dental offices fitted with modern equipment, a laboratory, pharmacy, pediatric room and other ancillary rooms.

A building for visitors has also been built in the new penitentiary facility. There are separate rooms with necessary conditions, a kitchen, walking areas for short-term and three-day stays of prisoners with their families.

Apart from the classrooms, the two-story school building built on the premises has labor, computer, other rooms and a gym. The conditions available here allow prisoners, especially minors, to receive education and acquire vocational skills.

Thanks to the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev, the construction of new penitentiary institutions for women and juvenile prisoners, who are regarded as a vulnerable segment of society, is part of the drastic reforms carried out in the country. The modern environment created here will serve to protect prisoners' rights and pave the way for their effective rehabilitation and social adaptation.

A new pre-trial detention center has been built in the Zabrat settlement of Baku. Modern penitentiary complexes have been built in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Shaki. Such enterprises are also under construction in Ganja and Lankaran, and Umbaki settlement of the capital.

Humanism is one of the fundamental principles in the political course of the Azerbaijani state. About 6,000 prisoners have been pardoned by 35 decrees signed by President Ilham Aliyev so far, whereas four amnesty acts adopted on the initiative of First Vice-President and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva have covered more than 40,000 people.

At the same time, as part of reforms to modernize the country's justice system, the penitentiary service is being enhanced. The penitentiary policy is being humanized, and consistent measures are taken to protect prisoners' rights and improve the conditions of their detention, medical and other benefits.

The recently completed amnesty act signed on the occasion of Victory Day is another manifestation of the President's humanist policy, and it has covered more than 15,000 people in total.