Azerbaijan, Baku, 12 March / Trend corr K. Ramazanova/ The Council of Europe (CE) calls on Azerbaijan's authorities to upgrade penal establishments and prisons, the CE expert for prisons Per Colliander said to journalists in Baku on 12 March.
"The Government should pay special attention to improving the qualifications of personnel in those establishments," Colliander said.
According to the expert, the conditions of prisons in Azerbaijan have not changed since the USSR.
"A lot is being done to improve the system, but good results require time," he said.
"The prisons are placed in old buildings and several inmates are jailed in one cell," Colliander said.
The expert noted that the Council of Europe will continue monitoring the prisons in Azerbaijan.
There are 17 penal establishments in Azerbaijan, one prison, three investigation cells, one delinquent punishment serving place, and one medical establishment for prisoners.