The Minister of Justice presented a preliminary design of the new prison facilities to the Finance Committee during his presentation of his portfolio’s budget.
The design is intended to accommodate 1,500 inmates, who will be housed in four wings, all of which will be centrally located.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Upon entering the facility through the Main Entrance Gate and Security Checkpoint, visitors will proceed to the reception area, which includes a visiting room.
On the left side of the preliminary design, there appears to be a medical unit and a clinic. On the right, there is a Christian chapel and a mosque.
Moving on, the administration building will be located between the inmate wings, followed by a building where inmates will have access to educational opportunities, workshops, and rehabilitation programs.
At the rear of the entire complex, there will be technical and maintenance facilities, a soccer field, and infrastructure including water tanks and utility services.
The infrastructure will be surrounded by a perimeter security road, walls, and watchtowers, and, according to the minister, the distance from the residential area is 5 to 6 kilometers.
“Agios Sozomenos is our priority; I have promised the municipalities that we will present the master plan, listen to their views, and make the final decision after the studies currently underway are completed.”
Kostas Fytiris – Minister of Justice and Public Order
Kostas Fytiris allows for a timeframe of up to 5 years for implementation. However, the cost of the entire project is disproportionate to the amount allocated in the ’27 budget.
“It is estimated at approximately 300 million euros; we believe that the allocation of just 1 million in the 2027 budget is not an adequate amount.”
Fotini Tsiridou – DISY Member of Parliament
Extension after extension
Extensions have been ongoing since 2021 regarding the juvenile detention center, which will now be housed in modern prefabricated facilities adjacent to the existing central prison.
“The promise I have is until June, but I want to believe that by October 2027, it will be next to the prisons.”
Costas Fytiris
Budget
The ministry’s budget for 2027 amounts to 575 million. Of this amount, 79% goes toward the salaries of police officers, firefighters, civil servants, and other public employees; 16% goes toward other regular expenses; and only 5% goes toward development projects.
“The cell phone jamming system has been in the budgets for years, and today we learned that it will begin to be implemented gradually, with a target date of the first quarter of 27.”
Andreas Pasiourtides – AKEL Member of Parliament
“60% of the individuals held in the central prisons are foreign nationals.”
Marios Pelekanos – ELAM Member of Parliament
According to the minister, a new wave of migrant flows from African countries is expected in the near future, and the ministry is on high alert.
Watch the report by Rafaella Stavrinou:
