A letter from inmates at the Central Prison, containing allegations of violence, overcrowding, poor quality and insufficient food, and the abolition of educational and rehabilitation programs that previously operated, has been sent to the President of the Republic. The Association for the Protection of Prisoners’ Rights & Support for Ex-Prisoners has requested that the President review the letter and take immediate corrective action.
The letter, released publicly by the Association, also highlights that on December 17, President Christodoulides, along with the Minister of Justice and the Deputy Director of Prisons, will inaugurate a new wing of the Central Prison.
“We are unsure what information is being conveyed to you, but we see and know that you will be inaugurating a wing that is not ready, merely because the Minister has been appearing in the media for months, promising it would be completed by September. From within, we see that you, too, are being misled,” the letter states.
It accuses the authorities of putting on a “show at the expense of prisoners,” suggesting that the focus is on the inauguration ceremony and the President’s name being on the plaque, rather than addressing the real issues within the prison. “We emphasize the term ‘Correctional Facility’ because, if you truly understood the current conditions, you would see that it is far from being a correctional institution,” the letter adds.
Instead, the situation resembles “the dark days of the past,” for which Cyprus was condemned by Europe, the letter notes. It recalls that significant efforts were once made to transform the prison into a correctional institution aligned with European standards and respectful of human rights—a transformation for which some inmates even lost their lives.
“Years of struggles brought about changes in attitudes, adherence to regulations, and respect for human rights. As you know, the goal is the rehabilitation of inmates, not punishment or branding them as criminals. Unfortunately, in recent years, the prison has regressed into a survival game,” the letter states.
The inmates further allege the absence of a correctional policy, the closure of schools, the discontinuation of programs and activities, and the lack of humane approaches to motivate inmates to change.
Daily incidents of violence, displays of power by the administration or prison guards following orders, and even the beating of inmates are reported. The quality of food is compared to that of Alcatraz, with reduced portions. The inmates are also reportedly facing difficulties with visitations due to claimed staff shortages, despite no change in personnel levels from previous years.
Additionally, the letter highlights severe overcrowding, with inmates sleeping on the floor or four people sharing a 2×2-meter cell.
“The situation in the prison has spiraled out of control for quite some time now,” the inmates conclude.
Also read: Additional family visits for prisoners allowed during the holidays
Source: CNA
