Filenews 16 January 2024
The change in the orientation of the institution of imprisonment in recent years into a means of correction, reform and social reintegration of prisoners will continue and intensify even more, assured on Tuesday the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Hartsiotis, giving, among other things, as an example the placement of 70 released prisoners in businesses in cooperation with OEB.
In his address during his visit to the Department of Prisons, the Minister of Justice also referred to the measures taken to solve the problems of overcrowding and understaffing of prisons that will ultimately result in the increase of their capacity to 1,200 prisoners and the gradual filling of 130 prison guard positions.
Mr. Hartsiotis also said that today's first visit to the Department of Prisons is practical proof that prison issues and prisoners' rights will be at the center of his attention, actions and priorities as Minister of Justice and Public Order.
"It is a fact that in recent years there have been significant changes that have as main axes the respect of human rights, the reform of prisoners," he said.
"Our goal is to continue the human-centered treatment of detainees, based on respect for the principles of legality, control, equality and respect for human rights," he added.
The Minister of Justice noted that a crucial and decisive factor for the performance of prisons' work is the consistency and professional dedication of all actors in the prison process: prison administration, prison staff and prisoners.
Measures to solve prison overcrowding and understaffing
"It is a fact that the most important problem facing prisons is that of overcrowding," he said, adding that "the understaffing of the Department of Prisons is also a problem."
According to Mr. Hartsiotis, "these problems complicate the prison process and create operational problems in prisons."
"I have already been informed about the short- and medium-term measures adopted by the current government and are in the process of being implemented to address this serious problem," he added.
As he said, with the implementation of the above measures in two phases, the first of which will be completed next September, the total capacity of the Central Prison is expected to increase to about 1,200 prisoners.
Regarding the staffing of the Department of Prisons, the Minister of Justice said that there are currently about 136 vacancies for Prison Guards, which will be announced in two phases.
The first phase, he continued, will include the filling of about 80 positions and the second phase of about 50 positions.
He also said that they are upgrading the School of Prison Guards in order to offer a one-year certificate recognized by the Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education to fully meet the specialized training needs of Prison Guards.
"I also expect that the article-by-article discussion in the House Standing Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice and Public Order of the new legislation and the new prison regulatory framework that significantly upgrades the protection of the human rights of prisoners under conditions of security and order in prisons will proceed and be completed as soon as possible," he added.
Imprisonment is a means of correction and social reintegration
Mr. Hartsiotis, on the occasion of his visit today, assured that the change in the orientation of the institution of imprisonment in recent years into a means of correction, reform and social reintegration of prisoners will continue and will intensify even more.
"The education, training and education of prisoners will continue and their general reinforcement will continue in order to reintegrate them into their social, family and social environment," he said.
"The many valuable actions that have been undertaken in the areas of enhancing the knowledge, abilities and skills of prisoners, in order to enhance their social reintegration, are fully in line with our strategic goals regarding the operation and objectives of our prison system," he added.
Seventy placements of released prisoners in enterprises
At the same time, he reminded that the implementation of a pioneering Incentive Plan for the Employment Rehabilitation of Released Prisoners, amounting to four million euros, as approved by the Council of Ministers, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the aforementioned Plan, between the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the Federation of Employers and Industrialists, is in progress.
He noted that the interest of businesses in employing released prisoners of all specialties exceeded all expectations, since to date, 70 placements of released prisoners have been made in an equal number of businesses on a Pancyprian basis.
In this context, Mr. Hartsiotis continued, "I intend to expand with other bodies through Memoranda of Cooperation, the implementation of the aforementioned Plan in order to maximize the actions of labour rehabilitation of released prisoners."
"The multiple reformatory actions and human-centered programs of prisons build and maintain bridges of communication with the outside world," he said. They alleviate, he said, "the difficulties of incarceration by making prison time less painful and more productive. They lead to overcoming stereotypes about imprisonment and prisoners."
Most importantly, he noted, "they give support and shield prisoners by giving them a second chance at life and society to which they are entitled and which as a state we are obliged to offer them."
Addressing his colleagues at the Department of Prisons, Mr. Hartsiotis congratulated each of them personally for their efforts so that incarceration can be an opportunity for learning, reform, improvement and cultivation of responsibility, aiming at the most productive possible social reintegration.
"From our side as a State, we assure you that we will continue to support these efforts, as well as the work of the Prison Management and Staff," he concluded.
