The need to modernize the correctional system and address long-standing problems at the Central Prisons, including overcrowding and the presence of cell phones and drugs, were highlighted by members of the House Legal Affairs Committee, in statements they made following today’s visit to the Central Prisons.
The Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Public Order, Fotini Tsiridou, stated that the Committee considers it important to be on site and to gain a firsthand understanding of the facilities and conditions regarding which it is called upon to legislate. As she said, prisons should be places that offer second chances and contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
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Ms. Tsiridou noted that during the meeting with prison administration, many issues were raised, the most significant being overcrowding, the commission and organization of crimes from within the prisons, the unresolved issue regarding the deactivation of cell phones, as well as the increase in the number of inmates convicted of drug-related offenses and sexual abuse, particularly of minors.
He made special mention of the need to reintegrate inmates and strengthen treatment programs, as well as to promote electronic monitoring, which, he said, can contribute both to the modernization of the correctional system and to addressing overcrowding.
Regarding the relocation of the Central Prison, Ms. Tsiridou said that the issue is being considered by the Committee and will be discussed with the relevant Ministry. She emphasized that Cyprus in 2026 needs a correctional facility that meets European standards, expressing the view that the existing facilities do not meet all the requirements of a modern correctional institution.
At the same time, he noted that the Committee intends to hold a closed-door session to discuss issues which, as he said, should not be made public, and will request that the relevant ministry submit the pending bills to Parliament.
He identified the issue of inmates convicted of sexual offenses against minors as an immediate priority, noting that the manner of their management within prisons must be examined.
AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides stated that in order to resolve the problems, their existence and scope must first be acknowledged, arguing that the situation at the Central Prisons “is not what befits a modern European state governed by the rule of law.”
Referring to the presence of cell phones and drugs, he rejected the notion that these phenomena should be considered inevitable simply because they also exist in society. “The goal should be not a single gram of drugs in prisons, nor a single cell phone in prisons,” he said.
Mr. Pasiourtidis noted that, despite having served on the Legal Affairs Committee since 2019, he has not, as he put it, seen any drastic measures to eliminate these specific problems.
He also referred to overcrowding, noting that a definitive solution to this problem is linked to the construction of new prisons, while alternative methods of serving sentences require, as he said, legislative initiatives.
At the same time, he expressed satisfaction with the information the Committee received that the system for jamming cell phones is expected to be operational by the end of November, expressing the hope that the relevant timeline will be met.
The AKEL Member of Parliament also highlighted the changing nature of the crimes that lead to incarceration, expressing concern about the increase in sexual offenses against minors and drug-related offenses.
ELAM MP Sotiris Ioannou, stated that during the visit, issues concerning overcrowding, understaffing, security, and the commission of crimes within prisons were brought to the Committee’s attention.
He argued that the problems are well known and, as he put it, require strong political will to address them. He made specific reference to issues of telecommunications and electronic monitoring, as well as to matters concerning the deportation of individuals who commit criminal offenses.
Regarding the composition of the prison population, Mr. Ioannou stated that over 50% of inmates are foreign nationals.
Finally, Mr. Ioannou called on the relevant ministry to proceed with the necessary measures and legislative changes to address the problems that, as he noted, have persisted for years at the Central Prison.
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