**NICOSIA** – In a significant strategic pivot, the Justice Ministry announced on Wednesday the immediate suspension of expansion plans for the existing Central Prisons in Nicosia. Instead, the government will proceed with the construction of an entirely new correctional facility on a site located beyond the city's urban sprawl. This ambitious undertaking, coupled with a substantial recruitment drive for prison personnel, signals a comprehensive effort to modernise the island's penal system and align it with contemporary correctional standards.
Justice Minister Costas Fytiris, addressing the press, articulated the rationale behind this decisive shift. The proposed new institution is envisioned to be a state-of-the-art facility, designed to meet the multifaceted demands of a 21st-century correctional environment. This move effectively supersedes the previous strategy of augmenting the current, aging infrastructure, acknowledging the limitations of retrofitting and the potential for a purpose-built facility to offer superior functionality and humane conditions. The search for a suitable location outside the immediate urban fabric has concluded, paving the way for architectural design, tendering, and construction processes to commence.
Integral to the overhaul is a considerable investment in human resources. The Ministry confirmed that ninety new prison officer positions will be advertised imminently, with recruitment anticipated to occur within the current month. This influx of personnel is crucial for addressing existing staffing deficits and ensuring adequate supervision and support within the correctional system. Furthermore, the Prison Officers School is slated for a significant upgrade and subsequent reopening, underscoring a commitment to enhanced professional training and development for all staff. The Director of Prisons position will also be subject to a public advertisement, promoting a merit-based approach to leadership.
Beyond infrastructure and staffing, the Ministry outlined a raft of procedural and systemic improvements. An automated staff evaluation system is to be established by the first half of 2026, aiming to introduce greater transparency and fairness in performance assessments and career progression. This initiative is designed to ensure equal treatment and objective, merit-based evaluations for all personnel. The ongoing strategy of prison decongestion will continue, primarily through collaborative efforts with the Legal Service to facilitate the reduction of sentences for individuals convicted of minor offences.
In a move aimed at fostering a more secure and supportive environment for both inmates and staff, an independent electronic camera monitoring system will be installed throughout the facilities. This technological enhancement is intended to bolster security and accountability. Concurrently, there will be an amplified focus on providing nursing and psychosocial support services for individuals in custody and for the correctional officers themselves. To further promote a healthy work environment and prevent burnout, a staff rotation system will be introduced.
Minister Fytiris emphasised the overarching objective of these reforms, stating, "A correctional institution is considered truly successful only when the people being punished serve their sentence and are released to integrate better into society." He added that this criterion "judges the essence and effectiveness of correctional policy." The suspension of the Central Prisons expansion, therefore, represents more than just a change in construction plans; it signifies a fundamental re-evaluation of the purpose and methodology of the island's correctional system, with a clear emphasis on rehabilitation and successful societal reintegration as the ultimate measure of success. The comprehensive nature of these announcements suggests a determined effort to deliver tangible results that meet the evolving expectations of society.