TEHRAN - The director of the Prisons Organization stated that the country's prisons have a capacity of less than 70,000, while in 1380 (2001-2002) there were an average of 175,000 prisoners, most of whom imprisoned for drug abuse, drug smuggling, theft and financial felonies.

He added that the organization will face difficulties in its rehabilitation programs for prisoners if proper measures are not taken.

Bakhtiari said that the penal code should be overhauled in order to decrease the number of prisoners.

He also pointed out that judges could use Article 22 of the Islamic penal code to commute prison sentences to other forms of punishment.

He said that prison construction is very costly, adding that other places such as refugee camps and empty garrisons could also be used as prisons, especially for the 30,000 people who are imprisoned because of drug addiction.

Bakhtiari proposed establishing vocational training courses and educational programs for prisoners so that they will be able to find work upon their release.