Cyprus’s government is making significant efforts to establish a dedicated child detention facility separate from adult prisons by January 1, 2026, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said on Sunday at a roundtable discussion on child-friendly justice.
Speaking at the event co-organised by the Ministry of Justice and the Cyprus Bar Association to mark International Human Rights Day, Hartsiotis said the government would launch a public tender for private sector operation of the facility once parliament approves the relevant regulations.
The minister outlined key aspects of the 2021 Children in Conflict with the Law Act, which he described as groundbreaking legislation establishing child-centred methods and alternative approaches to juvenile offenders.
The law created new institutions including probation officers, children’s courts, and day centres.
“Detention is always the last resort”, Hartsiotis emphasised, explaining that even when detention is imposed, children will be held in a special facility focused on rehabilitation, education, therapy and welfare.
The government has approved using the current Menoyia immigration detention centre for the new facility after its current operations move to a new closed pre-departure centre.
Officials aim to complete necessary modifications by the 2026 deadline.
Since May 2024, the ministry has implemented a new care officer system, with private contractors handling approximately 360 cases nationwide.
These officers serve as liaisons between police, social services, mental health services and children’s families.
A legal team is reviewing the 2021 law to identify areas needing clarification or amendment, Hartsiotis said, adding that stakeholder feedback from the roundtable would be carefully considered for potential legislative changes.
The minister stressed that criminal prosecution and detention of children would only be used in serious cases or when alternative measures have failed.
Special children’s courts, established in May 2021, can impose alternative penalties including reprimands, fines, supervision, community service for those over 16, or referral to day centres or treatment facilities.
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