The Justice Minister’s visit to the central prison comes in response to serious concerns highlighted in a recent report.
- The Justice Minister's visit to the central prison comes in response to serious concerns highlighted in a recent report.
Central prison: Minister’s Urgent Visit
Following a report from the Council of Europe’s committee for the prevention of torture, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris announced he will visit the central prison on Thursday. Fitiris aims to gather insights on various issues concerning the facility, emphasising the need for improvements.
Concerns Raised by the Report
The committee’s report outlined a troubling situation within the prison, citing a failure of staff to ensure the safety of inmates. This issue is exacerbated by a chronic shortage of frontline officers, leaving many prisoners vulnerable.
Living Conditions Under Scrutiny
Conditions in the prison have been described as “very poor,” with severe overcrowding posing a significant threat to inmate well-being. Reports indicate that up to four prisoners are confined in cells measuring less than six square metres. Due to insufficient staffing, some inmates have resorted to urinating in bottles and defecating in bags.
Union’s Alarm Over Safety
The prison guards branch of the Pasydy union expressed that the situation has “exceeded all limits of endurance and tolerance.” The union has warned of an impending security crisis that jeopardises the lives of both inmates and prison staff. They highlighted ongoing violence, including constant clashes and threats to safety.
Decades of Neglect
The union pointed out that the facilities have suffered from decades of decay, pushing staff to work under conditions that fail to meet basic safety standards. They cautioned against assigning prison staff policing roles, arguing this would make them targets and undermine the necessary trust for effective rehabilitation programmes.
Need for Structural Change
In light of the deteriorating conditions, the union called for the construction of a new prison that adheres to European standards of security, living, and working conditions. They believe that without significant changes, prison staff, inmates, and the wider community will continue to face escalating violence and unrest.
Recent Violent Incidents
Compounding these issues, a 35-year-old inmate was murdered in the central prison on Sunday, with police arresting a fellow inmate suspected of premeditated murder. This incident comes amidst ongoing investigations into the murder of Limassol businessman Stavros Demosthenous, where a 30-year-old convict in the prison is suspected of complicity.
Allegations of Abuse
Additionally, a prisoner recently alleged that he was repeatedly raped by fellow inmates, claiming that prison authorities delayed action and failed to protect him despite prior warnings. These alarming allegations further underscore the urgent need for reform and oversight within the prison system.
