The Prison Guards Branch Council of the Pan-Cyprian Union “ISOTITA” wishes the new Director of the Department of Prisons a productive term in office, noting that safety must be the first and foremost priority.
“We invite him to consider us allies and partners in his efforts, rest assured that he will have all the help and support he needs to carry out the very difficult mission he is undertaking. However, for the Department to truly turn a new page, concrete steps must be taken,” adds the ISOTETAS Sectoral Council.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Noting that “the first and foremost concern must be safety,” it states that protecting the physical integrity and dignity of correctional officers, along with the safety of the inmates themselves, is the foundation for everything else.
“It is on this foundation that changes can be made to move prisons away from the outdated logic of mere detention, leading to genuine rehabilitation and a smooth and beneficial reintegration into society,” he continues.
At the same time, he sends a message to the Minister of Justice and Public Order, stating that “despite the conflicts and disagreements we’ve had in the past on specific labor issues, we stand by him in every effort he makes to reform, correct, modernize, upgrade, and ensure the smooth operation of our country’s correctional system.”
The main challenge, according to ISOTITA, is the creation of a new, modern prison, in accordance with European standards and the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), meeting all requirements for dignity and safety.
The implementation of this project is the only way for our country to finally have a truly safe and humane correctional facility, he concludes.
Source: CNA
