Cyprus is poised for a significant transformation of its correctional facilities, with the government greenlighting the construction of a new, state-of-the-art central prison. The decision, announced during a recent session of the parliamentary Human Rights Committee, signals a decisive move to alleviate the severe strain on the existing system, which Justice Minister Costas Fytiris concedes has reached an unsustainable point. The existing central prison is slated for repurposing into a remand-only facility, a strategic shift aimed at addressing chronic overcrowding and its cascading consequences on both inmate welfare and staff well-being.
The impetus for this ambitious undertaking stems from a deeply entrenched crisis within the current prison infrastructure. Minister Fytiris candidly acknowledged that the pervasive issues of overcrowding and staff exhaustion can no longer be ignored, highlighting the detrimental impact on human rights and operational efficacy. The prison population has surged back to pre-holiday levels, hovering around 1,175 inmates, despite concerted efforts involving pardons and a ramped-up deportation schedule. The daily influx of approximately eight to ten new arrests exacerbates the situation, leading to cells designed for two individuals now accommodating three, and those intended for four holding as many as six. This severe overcrowding means that a substantial one-third of all prisoners are currently awaiting trial, with foreign nationals constituting a significant 60% of the inmate population.
In response to this pressing reality, the government is embarking on a multi-faceted approach. The new correctional facility will be situated on a secluded, state-owned parcel of land near Mathiatis, designed as a closed-custody institution with a projected capacity for 1,500 individuals. The estimated investment for this monumental project is substantial, with figures ranging from €300 million to €350 million. Concurrently, the existing central prison will be reconfigured to house remand prisoners exclusively, strategically located in proximity to the judicial courts. Expansion initiatives at the current site have been halted, with resources now being redirected towards the new build.
Beyond the construction of a new prison, a series of complementary measures are being implemented. The Limnes detention centre, designated for foreign nationals, is nearing full operational capacity, with completion expected by the end of April. This development coincides with a significant increase in deportations; over the past two and a half months, 1,450 foreign nationals have been removed from the island. Furthermore, the Menogeia Migrant Detention Center is slated for conversion into a facility for juveniles. The government is also reinforcing its capacity for alternative sentencing, with plans to expand the use of electronic monitoring tags from the current thirty to eighty by March 31st. Efforts are also underway to explore legislative avenues for sentence relief, a measure deemed necessary to mitigate the immediate pressures of overcrowding.
The proposed reforms extend to the professionalisation of the prison service. Legislation is being drafted to establish distinct employment criteria for prison guards and directors, aiming to enhance operational management and accountability. A dedicated training academy for prison officers is also on the horizon, alongside consideration for a reward system to incentivise officers and police personnel working in challenging posts. These comprehensive reforms underscore a commitment to not only enhance public safety but also to uphold the fundamental human rights of all individuals within the correctional system, marking a pivotal moment in Cyprus's approach to penal management.