The Criminal Investigation Division of Police Headquarters is conducting a criminal investigation into sick leave taken by correctional officers, following the findings of the Audit Office.
The Audit Office’s findings were forwarded to the Legal Service, which instructed the police to conduct an investigation into possible criminal offenses.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
According to information from the police, the investigations by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) are in the initial stages and concern possible offenses committed by doctors and prison guards.
It should be noted that the Audit Office, in its report on the correctional facility, found that a large number of staff members take sick leave exceeding 42 days, which negatively affects the smooth operation of the correctional facility.
SEE ALSO: Prison guards taking sick leave left and right, nonexistent protocols, and zero fire safety
Out of a sample of 17 correctional officers, the Audit Office found that 8 had submitted a large number of medical certificates. A telling example was a staff member who, to justify more than 200 days of leave in 2023 and 2024, submitted 111 medical certificates, 95% of which were issued by two specific doctors. “We have some indications of abuse of the system,” said Ms. Michael, noting that for 4 of the 8 members in the sample, a specific doctor—who does not appear to be their personal physician—issued a significant number of medical certificates without any recorded visits in the GESY system. The entire matter, he said, will be referred to the competent authorities for further investigation.
READ ALSO: Fytiris on prison guards: “It’s unacceptable for some people to take 200 days of sick leave and then protest outside my office.”
