Cyprus is requesting another year for the completion of its juvenile detention centre, as construction at the Limnes pre-departure centre in Menoyia remains ongoing.
- Cyprus is requesting another year for the completion of its juvenile detention centre, as construction at the Limnes pre-departure centre in Menoyia remains ongoing.
- This initiative not only addresses the need for a juvenile detention facility but also seeks to resolve a long-standing issue concerning the holding of remand juveniles at the same site.
- Visitors permitted by prison directors to bring in communication devices will face the same penalties if they illegally pass these items to detainees.
A new bill has been submitted to parliament to extend the initial deadline of 1 January 2026, which mandates that children sentenced to imprisonment must be held in a special detention area within prisons. The proposed extension aims to push this deadline to a new target of 31 December 2026.
Juvenile detention: Current State of the Facility
The government has determined that the juvenile detention centre will be established at the existing migrant detention centre in Menoyia. The plan involves transferring migrants currently held there to the Limnes centre, which is still under construction. Additionally, the facilities at Menoyia will undergo renovations to create a more child-friendly environment.
This initiative not only addresses the need for a juvenile detention facility but also seeks to resolve a long-standing issue concerning the holding of remand juveniles at the same site.
Changes in Operational Management
This is not the first time Cyprus has sought an extension for the juvenile detention centre. A previous extension was granted due to a shift in the operational model of the facility. Initially, the bill proposed that a private operator would be responsible for managing the security and operations of the centre. However, the current approach sees the state taking control of management, while operational duties will still be outsourced.
Legislative Developments on Communication Devices
In a separate legislative move, Cyprus is also addressing security concerns within its prisons. A new bill proposes strict penalties for the possession, use, import, and export of mobile phones or other portable communication devices in and out of prisons. This extends to anyone, whether detained or not, and violations could result in prison sentences of up to two years or fines reaching €6,000.
Visitors permitted by prison directors to bring in communication devices will face the same penalties if they illegally pass these items to detainees.
Additionally, the bill includes stringent measures against prison staff attempting to smuggle mobile phones into facilities. A convicted prison officer could face a sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to €10,000.
