Bulldozers will be on site by the end of 2027 to begin construction work on the new Central Prison, announced Minister of Justice Konstantinos Fytiris. Speaking on the Alpha Enimerosi program, he expressed his belief that negotiations regarding the final construction site for the modernized correctional facility, from among three options:
- Matiatis
- Agios Sozomenos
- An area between the districts of Nicosia, Limassol, and Larnaca
As he stated, he does not wish to specify the third option, as it typically provokes strong reactions from local government authorities who believe that “there will be foreign or Cypriot criminals roaming around.” He explained, however, that these are closed-type prisons and that the project is a development initiative, as it will create new jobs and utilize local products.
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At the same time, he pointed out that “behind” the project lies a massive amount of red tape that must be addressed with the Ministry of Finance and the Planning Directorate, before the bids for the construction of the new Central Prison can be finalized. He also noted that such a project is subject to specific European directives and that if it were up to him, “the project would have started and been completed” by now.
When asked about overcrowding in the correctional facility, the Minister of Justice stated that “I would rather have overcrowding than have criminals on the loose without arresting them.”” He also explained his proposal for alternative sentences for those convicted of minor offenses, such as those who fail to pay child support. As he explained, they could serve half their sentence instead of two-thirds, provided they wear an “ankle monitor” and work, with mechanisms in place to ensure their earnings are directed where they should be and that debts do not accumulate.
The Minister of Justice also emphasized the need to diversify incentives for recruiting prison guards, as only 42 people expressed interest in the 90 available positions.
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