Convicts to be visited more often and not only by relatives

Detainees from penitentiaries could be visited more often by other persons than relatives. This became possible after the Government operated amendments in the Statute of punishment execution by the convict, by excluding the restriction concerning “the total lack of visitors and parcels for a 1 year period”. According to the provisions of the Execution Code, the convict has the right to short-time and long-time meetings, which are offered according to the provisions stipulated in the aforementioned code and the Statute of punishment execution. Short term meetings with relatives or, in extreme case, under the penitentiary’s authorisation, with another person chosen by the convict, are offered for a period of 1 to 4 hours, and the long term ones – from 12 hours up to 3 days. Exceptional cases when the convicts can meet with other persons than relatives are stipulated in the article 284 of the Statute, providing “the total lack of visitors and parcels for a 1 year period”. The aforementioned amendments have been made after numerous petitions addressed to the ombudsman institution by detainees, who consider that their right to meetings is infringed. Authorities consider that the proposed amendments would contribute to the adjustment of the national legislation to the constitutional principles, and also with the provisions of the international treaties ratified or accepted by Moldova. Statute of punishment execution by the convict has been approved via a Government decision in May 2006.