MVP

Tag: Prison Conditions

  • Prison overcrowding — Justice Minister Addresses Prison Overcrowding but Rules Out New Facility

    Prison overcrowding — Justice Minister Addresses Prison Overcrowding but Rules Out New Facility

    prison overcrowding — prison overcrowding — The new justice minister has pledged to tackle the pressing issue of overcrowding at the central prisons complex, although he has ruled out the immediate construction of a new facility.

    On Thursday, Constantinos Fitiris convened his first meeting with representatives from the police’s Isotita trade union, which advocates for prison wardens. During this meeting, he expressed commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the corrections department.

    In a statement released by Isotita following the discussions, the minister acknowledged the inadequacy of the current prison premises, remarking that “a facility built in 1890 cannot be converted into a modern one.” His comments underline the urgent need for reform in response to the outdated infrastructure.

    While Fitiris confirmed that a new facility is not “in an immediate trajectory of implementation,” he assured the union that there would be significant developments, which they would learn about “from the results.” This assurance comes amidst growing concerns over the conditions within the current facilities.

    One of the immediate issues raised during the meeting was the severe understaffing at the prisons. Fitiris promised that the ministry would announce vacancies for the hiring of 90 new prison wardens in the coming days, a move welcomed by the Isotita union. However, they emphasised that this should be merely a starting point and called for an organisational restructuring that aligns with international standards. They proposed a guideline ensuring a minimum of one warden for every 15 inmates.

    The discussion also touched upon safety measures within the prison system. The leadership of the ministry agreed to establish a rapid response and containment team that would conduct surprise inspections and manage any violent outbreaks among inmates.

    In addition to addressing staffing issues, Isotita proposed alternative measures to alleviate the overcrowding crisis. These include alternatives to incarceration, such as community service or placing inmates under house arrest with electronic monitoring. Such initiatives could potentially reduce the number of individuals held in the already strained prison system.

    Union representatives reiterated their call for allowing wardens to retire voluntarily after 25 years of service, citing the stressful nature of the job as a significant concern. This request highlights the toll that working under such conditions takes on the staff.

    The urgency of reform in Cyprus’ prison system is further underscored by a recent report from the Council of Europe’s committee for the prevention of torture, which raised alarms about “serious problems” within the central prisons. The committee expressed “grave concerns” over the high levels of inter-prisoner violence, a situation that has only been exacerbated by the overcrowded conditions.

    This report follows a tragic incident where a 35-year-old Egyptian national was killed during a violent altercation with another inmate, drawing attention to the dire need for immediate action and systemic reform.

  • Central prison — Justice Minister to Inspect Central Prison Following EU Concerns

    Central prison — Justice Minister to Inspect Central Prison Following EU Concerns

    The Justice Minister’s upcoming visit to the central prison follows serious concerns raised in a recent EU report regarding the facility’s conditions.

    • The Justice Minister's upcoming visit to the central prison follows serious concerns raised in a recent EU report regarding the facility's conditions.

    Central prison: Justice Minister’s Commitment to Prison Oversight

    Justice Minister Costas Fitiris announced on Wednesday that he will visit the central prison on Thursday. His aim is to gather comprehensive information regarding the various issues that plague the facility. Fitiris stated, “I am here to obtain general information on all issues concerning the prison,” highlighting his intention to improve the existing situation.

    EU Report Highlights Grave Concerns

    The Council of Europe’s committee for the prevention of torture issued a report that outlined numerous alarming conditions within the central prison. Among its findings were significant failures by prison staff to ensure the safety of inmates. The report identified a chronic shortage of frontline officers as a critical factor contributing to the deterioration of safety and order.

    Inter-Prisoner Violence and Overcrowding Issues

    The committee’s report expressed grave concerns about high levels of inter-prisoner violence, stating that the staff shortage allowed groups of prisoners to dominate and impose informal punishments. The situation has been exacerbated by extreme overcrowding, with cells accommodating up to four inmates in spaces smaller than six square metres. This lack of personal space has led to dire sanitary conditions, with reports indicating that some prisoners have had to urinate in bottles and defecate in bags due to insufficient access to sanitation facilities.

    Prison Guards Union Voices Alarm

    The prison guards branch of the Pasydy union has echoed the concerns raised in the EU report, declaring that conditions at the central prison have “exceeded all limits of endurance and tolerance.” The union emphasised that the state could no longer afford to remain silent on the matter. They warned of an “explosive security crisis” that poses risks to both inmates and prison staff.

    Violence and Criminal Activity Within the Facility

    Recent incidents have underscored the urgency of the situation. On Sunday, a 35-year-old inmate was murdered within the prison, leading to the arrest of a fellow inmate on suspicion of premeditated murder. Furthermore, a 30-year-old convict in custody is being investigated for potential involvement in the murder of Limassol businessman Stavros Demosthenous, which occurred in October.

    Allegations of Sexual Assault and Negligence

    In September, a prisoner reported that he was repeatedly raped by fellow inmates, accusing the prison authorities of failing to act on early warnings and covering up the criminal acts. This incident has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the prison administration in protecting inmates from violence and abuse.

    Union Calls for Fundamental Changes

    The Pasydy union has articulated that the current climate within the prison system is intolerable. They argued that assigning policing roles to prison staff would compromise their safety and hinder the trust needed for successful rehabilitation programmes. The union concluded that the only viable solution is the construction of a new prison facility, one that adheres to European standards for security, living, and working conditions.

    Decades of Neglect and the Urgency for Reform

    Decades of decay in the prison infrastructure have left staff carrying out their duties in conditions that fail to meet even basic safety standards. The union’s position is clear: without significant changes, both inmates and staff are at risk of becoming victims of the violence that permeates the prison environment.

    Looking Ahead: Minister’s Visit as a Catalyst for Change

    As Justice Minister Costas Fitiris prepares for his visit, there is cautious hope that his engagement with the prison system will lead to meaningful reforms. The spotlight on the central prison, intensified by the EU report and ongoing incidents, may finally prompt the necessary actions to address the critical issues that have long been ignored.