REDESIGN FOR JUVENILE PRISONS - THE PLANS OF KOSTAS FYTIRIS - Filenews 31/3 by Michalis Chatzivasilis
The Minister of Justice is looking for other solutions for juvenile prisons after the emptying of the detention centers in Mennogia, in order to relieve the prisons which currently host about 1200 prisoners and undertrials.
Minister Kostas Fytiris is studying the redesign of prisons until new ones are built with a five-year horizon, so that the current situation can change and the problem of overcrowding can be alleviated. After the cancellation of the plan to build a new wing at a cost of €40 million, solutions are now being sought for minors, who should be held in an area outside the prison.
The initial plans were for the young people to be transferred to the migrant detention center in Mennogeia, which has already been vacated, since the detention center in Limnes recently operated. In fact, a commitment had been made in Parliament with the space, so that it would be converted specifically for hosting children.
Now that the space has been emptied, it is being studied whether another solution can be found for the minors and the detention centers in Mennogeia will be used for the transfer and detention there of either long-term convicts or those convicted of sexual offenses. It is noted that the detention centers can accommodate up to 230 people, while those convicted of sexual offenses (rape, sexual abuse, child pornography) reach 180.
As Mr. Fytiris told "F", the juvenile prisoners are 15-20 people, which is why either the space in Mennogeia will be separated to accommodate other convicts, or another solution will be found for the minors.
At the same time and in relation to the reactions of the community of Mathiati to the plans for the construction of new prisons in the area, the Minister of Justice stated that he had gone to the community when the Community Council was examining the issue and it was agreed that as soon as the draft project is ready, it will be presented to them and then the community will decide whether or not he accepts his presence. If the Government's decision is rejected, there is an alternative solution to move the project to the Catalyst. Also, appropriate containers will be transported to the prisons to house clinics for the examination of prisoners by doctors, since at the moment their examination is done in inappropriate places.
For the purpose of reducing the prison population, it is also considered as foreign light offenders, with half of their sentence being deported in order to decongest the wards. This issue is being discussed with the competent authorities so that there can be coordination. Dozens of convicts who were detained for immigration offenses have already been deported to date.
In another development, the Minister of Justice is studying and that is why he is in contact with the unions of prison staff, the change of their status, that is, to turn them into a special body.
As he mentioned, while they are civil servants, they have the right to bear arms, something that is not done with any other service of the Republic. The final development of what the prison guards will be called will be seen through the discussions.
However, Mr. Fytiris' intention is for the director of Prisons to be offered a five-year contract and not until his retirement, so that the same person does not stay in the position for a long time. This intention is not expected to affect the ongoing recruitment process for a prison director.
As "F" wrote, 37 persons applied for the position, including criminologists, lawyers, former military personnel who retired early and people who are already in prison or have passed through senior positions.
Written exams will be held to select the most suitable, while those who qualify will go through an oral examination before the EDY in order to select the most suitable one who will take over the position of director of one of the most critical posts.
Finally, it is noted that for the 95 vacant prison guard positions, 230 persons applied for recruitment, who will pass a written examination and will be properly trained before wearing the prison guard's uniform.
