**Nicosia, Cyprus** – In a significant policy volte-face, Cypriot authorities have abandoned original plans for a dedicated juvenile detention facility, opting instead for a more pragmatic and immediate solution to alleviate critical overcrowding within the central prison. The Justice Minister, Costas Fytiris, has confirmed that the proposed new juvenile prison at Mennogeia will be repurposed as a temporary facility for adult offenders, while a more modest, segregated area within the existing Central Prison complex has been identified for young detainees.
This abrupt alteration in strategy comes after considerable delays in the development of the juvenile facilities, which were initially slated for completion over a year ago. The original blueprint envisioned a substantial, purpose-built institution at Mennogeia, capable of housing 128 individuals. However, Minister Fytiris acknowledged that this plan would have to be "sacrificed" in favour of addressing the pressing issue of an overburdened central jail. The Mennogeia site, which had previously been earmarked for both illegal migrants and young offenders, will now primarily accommodate adult convicts.
The rationale behind this strategic pivot is multi-faceted. Foremost among the concerns is the escalating number of inmates within the Central Prison, a situation that the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has repeatedly flagged as requiring urgent attention. By repurposing the Mennogeia facility for adults, authorities aim to create immediate breathing room. Concurrently, the "Special 8" wing, currently housing inmates under the age of 21, will be integrated into the general prison population, thereby freeing up valuable space.
Furthermore, the number of juvenile detainees in Cyprus has consistently been low, fluctuating between a mere 15 and 20 individuals. This low occupancy rate rendered the construction of a large, dedicated juvenile prison economically and logistically inefficient. The new approach prioritises segregating these young offenders from hardened criminals, a crucial requirement stipulated by the CPT to prevent negative influences and potential exploitation. The identified area within the Central Prison complex, situated outside the main high-security perimeter, is deemed suitable for this purpose.
In a related development aimed at further easing pressure on the penal system, instructions have been issued for the swift deportation of foreign nationals found to be residing in Cyprus without the requisite permits. The first phase of the Limnes Pre-departure Centre, designed to facilitate such deportations, is now complete. Migrants currently housed at the Mennogeia site will be relocated to this newly finished facility. For undocumented foreign nationals, detention in police cells will be restricted to a maximum of four days, expediting their removal from the island. This measure is intended to mitigate the legal and financial burdens associated with prolonged detention and to prevent further strain on the prison infrastructure. The swift implementation of these measures underscores the government's commitment to a more streamlined and responsive approach to prison management and immigration control.