Fitiris has announced plans to begin construction of a new central prison by the end of this year, aiming to address longstanding issues within Cyprus’ prison system.
- Fitiris has announced plans to begin construction of a new central prison by the end of this year, aiming to address longstanding issues within Cyprus' prison system.
Fitiris: Modern Facilities to Enhance Security and Living Conditions
Justice Minister Costas Fitiris stated that the new prison complex is designed to meet current security requirements while providing humane living conditions for inmates and a suitable working environment for prison staff. “Our goal is to create a modern prison complex which will meet security requirements, offer humane living conditions to prisoners, and at the same time, offer a suitable working environment for prison staff,” he told Politis.
A Long-Term Project with Significant Planning
Fitiris emphasised that the project will take approximately five years to complete, highlighting the need for serious planning and consistency. “This is a project which the country needs and which we have already put on track for implementation,” he added. The Minister acknowledged that the current prison facilities, built 135 years ago, are inadequate for today’s needs. “The reality is that today’s prison was designed for a completely different era and for a much smaller number of prisoners than it is called upon to accommodate today,” he explained.
Strategic Development for Future Requirements
Fitiris described the construction of a new central prison as a strategic development that will serve the country’s needs for many decades. The location for the new facility has been identified near the village of Mathiatis in the Nicosia district. Processes have already commenced for the project, with cooperation underway with the Council of Europe Development Bank for technical preparation and financing.
Local Opposition to the Proposed Site
While the government appears determined to proceed, local opposition has emerged. Village mukhtar Theodoros Tsatsos has voiced his concerns, stating that the plans can only advance with the village’s consent. He pointed out that Mathiatis is already home to two army camps, archaeological sites, churches, and farms, arguing that the village’s capacity is stretched.
Alarming Overcrowding in Current Prison Facilities
Current conditions in Cyprus’ prison system are critical, as reported by the European Union’s statistics agency Eurostat. Cyprus has the highest prison occupancy rate in the EU at 227.6 per cent, significantly surpassing Slovenia’s rate of 134.2 per cent and France’s 129.3 per cent. This figure indicates that the prison holds more than double the number of inmates it was designed to accommodate. A rate exceeding 100 per cent signifies overcrowding, and Cyprus’ situation is particularly severe, raising urgent calls for reform.
Concerns from Human Rights Organisations
The Council of Europe’s committee for the prevention of torture has expressed serious concerns regarding the existing central prison in Nicosia. They highlighted “grave concerns” about the high levels of inter-prisoner violence and the failure of prison staff to ensure the safety of inmates. According to their findings, chronic shortages of frontline officers have led to stronger groups dominating and imposing informal punishments, thereby undermining safety and order.
Poor Living Conditions for Inmates
Living conditions for inmates have been described as very poor, heavily affected by severe overcrowding. The committee noted that prison cells are often shared by up to four prisoners in spaces of less than six square metres. In these cramped conditions, two inmates may have to sleep on mattresses on the floor, as the cells are scarcely sufficient for one person. Furthermore, access to toilets is inadequate, with more than half of the prison’s blocks lacking in-cell sanitary facilities, compounding the challenges faced by those incarcerated.
A Call for Immediate Action
With the current prison conditions reaching a critical point, Fitiris’s announcement of a new prison construction project is seen as a necessary step towards reform. However, the government must navigate local opposition and ensure that the project meets the needs of the community while providing a sustainable solution to the overcrowding crisis. As discussions continue regarding the future of the prison system in Cyprus, all eyes will be on the government’s ability to deliver on its promises for a modern facility that prioritises safety and humane conditions for all.
