Politis

New Prisons Outside the City: The Package of Measures Announced by the Minister

Published January 7, 2026, 15:26
New Prisons Outside the City: The Package of Measures Announced by the Minister

The Minister of Justice, Kostas Fytiris, announced a comprehensive package of measures to upgrade the Cypriot prison system. The announcements were made during his fourth visit to the Central Prisons in less than a month, underlining his commitment to addressing the problems immediately. The measures include the announcement of 90 new prison officer positions with mandatory prior training, the upgrading and reopening of the Prison School, and the announcement of a position for the Director of Prisons. At the same time, a suitable site outside the urban area has already been identified for the construction of a new, modern prison facility. In addition, an automated assessment and scoring system for staff, with objective criteria, will be established within the first half of 2026. The decongestion of prisons will also continue with a gradual reduction in convicts for minor offenses, in cooperation with the Legal Service. Other measures include the installation of an independent electronic surveillance system with cameras, the strengthening of nursing and psychosocial support for prisoners and staff, and the introduction of a staff rotation system. The Minister stressed that the main goal is the reintegration of prisoners into society and the strengthening of public safety.