foreign inmates — A total of 164 foreign nationals have been deported from detention centres and the central prisons in Cyprus between December 10 and January 20, according to a report released by the justice ministry on Wednesday.
- Reports reveal that some cells are holding up to four prisoners in spaces as small as six square metres, highlighting the urgent need for reform within the prison system.
This deportation forms part of a broader strategy aimed at alleviating chronic overcrowding in the Cypriot prison system. The report indicates that, in total, 643 foreign nationals exited the country during this 45-day window, which included 450 individuals who departed through voluntary return programmes and another 29 who were residing illegally in the republic.
Foreign inmates: Government Strategy to Address Overcrowding
The measures implemented by the government are designed to reduce prison population density while ensuring effective control over illegal immigration. According to the justice ministry, operations aimed at identifying undocumented migrants and managing prison congestion are ongoing and yielding positive outcomes.
This initiative follows a policy directive issued by the president in December, which led to discussions between the justice ministry and the deputy ministry of foreign affairs and immigration in January. These discussions aimed to enhance mechanisms for encouraging voluntary returns and consider the early release of foreign prisoners convicted of non-serious offences.
Potential Early Release of Foreign Prisoners
Government sources have indicated that approximately 100 foreign inmates serving sentences for minor crimes could be released and deported as part of a larger plan that may affect up to 175 prisoners. This approach is seen as a necessary step to mitigate the severe overcrowding issues faced by the central prison in Nicosia.
Continued Overcrowding Concerns
Cyprus’ prison population currently stands at around 1,120 inmates, with foreign nationals making up more than half of that figure. Overcrowding has been a persistent challenge for years, prompting repeated warnings from prison staff, human rights groups, and international organisations.
In December, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture expressed serious concerns regarding prison conditions, emphasising issues such as severe overcrowding, inter-inmate violence, and inadequate access to sanitation facilities.
Reports reveal that some cells are holding up to four prisoners in spaces as small as six square metres, highlighting the urgent need for reform within the prison system.
