A new prison wing capable of housing 240 inmates is set to open in early November, providing significant relief to overcrowding at the Central Prisons.
Construction work is progressing well, with Justice and Public Order Minister Marios Hartsiotis expressing satisfaction after inspecting the facility last Friday.
“Everything has changed since my first visit in February when roof tiles were still being removed from the Open Prison. Eight months later, it’s completely transformed,” Hartsiotis told philenews.
The minister said the facility has undergone comprehensive renovations, including new doors, windows, and beds to meet closed prison standards.
“Only additional fencing, some external communal area work, and final cell inspections remain,” he added.
The conversion from an open to a closed facility was initiated under former Justice Minister Anna Koukkidi-Prokopiou as part of a broader strategy to address overcrowding.
Additional measures include a new External Employment Centre and Open Prison, with plans for a completely separate wing by 2028.
The new wing project has been budgeted for 2025, with construction and staffing costs estimated at €70 million.
Separately, disciplinary investigations are ongoing regarding the recent escape of a life-sentence prisoner.
Four prison guards have been suspended, while police conduct an independent investigation into potential police officer misconduct.
The incident led to the dismissal of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Police, while the deputy prison director has returned to police service.
In another development, criminal and disciplinary procedures have been initiated against a female prison guard following the discovery of a mobile phone in the prison. She has been suspended from duty.
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