Three locations are being considered for a new Cyprus prison as the government moves ahead with plans to replace the overcrowded and ageing Central Prisons within five years, Justice and Public Order Minister Constantinos Fytiris has said.
Speaking on SIGMA’s Protoselido programme, Fytiris said Mathiatis and an area in Agios Sozomenos were among the potential locations, alongside a third site.
The minister also discussed plans to introduce the “Red Flag” platform for preventing violence by the end of 2026, measures to tackle prison overcrowding and organised crime, and a reassessment of police protection provided to political figures.
New prison planned within five years
Fytiris said the existing Central Prisons facilities, which date back to 1890, no longer meet modern requirements for public safety and the protection of human rights.
The Council of Ministers has decided that a new correctional facility should be built within five years.
Fytiris described the new Cyprus prison as a major and costly project. In the meantime, efforts will focus on improving existing facilities and reducing overcrowding.
The Central Prisons have capacity for around 800 people, but the inmate population has reached 1,200. Despite releases at Christmas and around the August 15 holiday, Fytiris said the prison continues to fill up again because of crime.
Authorities are considering allowing inmates serving sentences of up to one year for minor offences to be released after completing 50% of their sentence, subject to approval by the Parole Board.
Efforts are also under way to extend the measure to those serving sentences of up to two years.
Mathiatis and Agios Sozomenos among options
Fytiris said three possible sites are being examined for the new facility.
Mathiatis is one option, while another is located in the Agios Sozomenos area. The minister did not identify the third location.
If the Mathiatis proposal does not proceed because of opposition from the local community or higher costs, the ministry will turn to one of the other two sites.
Fytiris said choosing a different location would not delay the new Cyprus prison, as work on financing, hiring consultants and other preparations is progressing in parallel.
‘Red Flag’ platform aims to prevent violence
The minister also addressed an increase in cases of gender-based violence, harassment and threats against women, stressing the need for a coordinated response from all relevant state services.
Under the “Red Flag” platform, agencies involved in responding to an incident will be notified simultaneously, allowing them to act quickly to protect women, children and other vulnerable people.
“I estimate and want to believe that it will be implemented by the end of the year,” Fytiris said.
He noted that the application was approved in 2021 but its implementation has been delayed for five years.
The objective is to intervene before violence escalates.
“As soon as there is a first incident, it is recorded, and at the second all services are mobilised,” he said.
New base planned for ‘Cyprus FBI’
Turning to organised crime, Fytiris said police need modern capabilities and additional legal tools.
He called on parliament to approve legislation allowing surveillance, subject to the necessary safeguards.
Fytiris also said the new unit dubbed the “Cyprus FBI” has already been organised, although plans to bring its personnel together at a single location have been delayed by bureaucratic procedures.
“I hope we will reach a conclusion within the month,” he said, adding that a building has already been identified through a tender process.
He said housing all members of the service at a central location was necessary to allow the unit to organise effectively and begin operations.
Around 7,000 deportations since January
Fytiris said a directive has been in place since January providing for the detention and immediate deportation of migrants staying illegally in the Republic of Cyprus.
Around 7,000 deportations have taken place, he said, preventing the prison system from potentially having to accommodate a corresponding number of people.
Police, working with the Deputy Ministry of Migration, are making around 50 to 60 arrests each day, according to the minister.
Fytiris clarified that existing legislation does not allow prison sentences to be bought out. Instead, alternative sentences are being promoted for people convicted of minor offences so that imprisonment is not automatically required.
Police protection for politicians under review
The minister also signalled forthcoming decisions to reduce or redistribute police officers assigned to protect political figures.
Following legal advice, authorities determined that responsibility rests with the police and Justice Ministry and that a Council of Ministers decision is not required.
Decisions will instead be based on risk assessments carried out by the relevant police committee.
“If someone is at risk, they will have the appropriate protection. If they are not at risk, based on the committee’s assessment, they will not have protection,” Fytiris said.
Also read: Limassol: 18-year-old abducted over financial dispute, two arrested
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