Filenews 13 May 2023
The Central Prisons are being redesigned from scratch to solve the problem of overcrowding, which is at its worst and it is considered more than certain that our country will be scolded by the Committee against Torture (CPT) of the Council of Europe, which is currently in Cyprus.
Justice Minister Anna Koukkidis Prokopiou, together with the ministry's director-general and the prison directorate, have x-rayed the problem and prepared an ambitious plan to solve the problem of overcrowding. The plan has already been sent to the President of the Republic for study and approval, so that the works can begin. "F" today reveals details of the plan, which is expected to relieve prisons of a long-standing problem with pre-20th century buildings built by English colonialists. It is noted that all the times measures were taken were palliative and despite the plans for new prisons, however the cost was prohibitive and therefore the problem was perpetuated.
As "F" is informed, the plans of the Ministry of Justice, which are immediate, medium and long-term, include thoughts for new prisons outside residential areas, but the cost is estimated at 200 million euros.
The axes on which the spatial redesign of the Central Prisons moves include:
The open prison and the Center for Extra-institutional Employment.
As has been established, the open prison today can accommodate 220 prisoners. However, the average stay of prisoners is 50-60 people (due to regulations in order to leave the closed to the open prison one must meet certain conditions) so it is never full. That is why it was decided that the open prison would change status and become part of the closed prison. This immediately increases the cells of the closed prison by 220. As explained to "F", today the closed prison has a capacity of 424 people and accommodates 900. It automatically creates huge problems in the daily lives of prisoners who are forced to cram four into cells of two or even sleep on the floor sometimes in the absence of beds.
The open prison, in the event of an extension of the closed prison, will be called wing 11 and will imply security changes. Today the rooms – cells of the open prison are not of maximum security as in the closed prison, nor are the doors anti-riot. Many changes will be needed to instal new beds and furniture as provided for inmates of the closed prison. These changes can be made soon to decongest the closed prison.
At the same time, as stressed by the Ministry of Justice, under no circumstances will the open prison be closed since it is considered a right of prisoners. That is why it will be moved next to the space that currently houses the Center for Vocational and Non-Institutional Employment (CSCP). This Center hosts prisoners who are out of prison all day for work purposes and return in the afternoon to sleep in prisons. This Center accommodates an average of 20 detainees, while it is of greater capacity.
This change will create a need for a new CSCP. According to the plans of the Ministry of Justice and the prisons, a new building should be created for this structure. The site of the prison mansion has already been indicated and its construction will last about six months. These plans are expected to largely solve the problem of overcrowding and relieve prisons. Along with other measures that are under way and concern legislative amendments, prisons will take a long breath and we will now be talking about normal levels.
A prerequisite for these changes is the increase of staff by 50-60 people to take over the guarding of the open prison to which the closed one will be extended. The Justice Department has already received approval to increase staff. Also, the new wing of the closed prison that will be created will be supervised by a tower which will be staffed by newly hired prison guards.
At the same time, the Ministry of Justice is promoting the strengthening of educational programs for prison guards as well as programs for prisoners.
Also, while the moves for overcrowding are ongoing, the Ministry of Justice is studying the expansion of the program for the employment of former prisoners in addition to members of OEB and municipalities. The state subsidizes the salaries of ex-convicts to a large extent to incentivize employers to employ them. To date, 62 people have been employed under this scheme.
Among the plans of the competent ministry is to change the legislation regarding undertrials so that the courts have the discretion where they deem it appropriate, not to order their detention until their trial, but to be monitored at home. It was also decided and will promote a change in legislation to give the power to the Courts to recommend the deportation of foreigners convicted of immigration-related offenses. In this way, these people will not be sent to prisons, making the problem of overcrowding worse. There are currently 130 people in prison who have been convicted of immigration-related offences.
An observatory for prisons is set up
The Ministry of Justice is considering the creation of an independent prison watchdog to monitor and enforce prisoners' rights.
Minister Anna Koukkidi Prokopiou is particularly sensitive to the issue of prisoners' rights, which is why she believes that the creation of the Observatory will help in the full implementation of the rights of people whose freedom is restricted and at the same time will help in the proper functioning of prisons.
At the same time, emphasis will be placed, as we are told, on extending the programmes for dependents as well as for persons convicted of sexual offences. It has been judged that prisoners for these two categories need help, so special programs will be made for them.
Ms. Prokopiou has already met with the Association for the Rights of Prisoners where they discussed the problems they face both inside and outside prison when they are released. The main thing concerns their professional rehabilitation, since many are looking for work, but when employers are informed that they are ex-convicts, they close their doors.
INTERVENTION
It is not a storehouse of souls
The situation with overcrowding goes no further. The numbers, those exercising control and the Justice Department itself are shouting it. To date, unfortunately, no minister or government has taken serious action to solve the problem.
The creation of new modern prisons outside residential areas would be the ideal solution. However, this is a distant plan that is unknown if it ever materializes. There are solutions and the new Minister of Justice must be credited with devoting enough time to the issue from the first day she took office. The suggestions have been made, now they have yet to be implemented and worked. Prisons are not storehouses of souls, which is why prisoners have rights. Especially since they are confined for a long time in a small space, these rights must not be violated.
