Conditions at Cyprus’ Central Prisons have exceeded “every limit of human dignity”, according to the Isotita trade union’s Prisons Branch, which has renewed calls for the immediate construction of a new prison facility.
The union issued the statement following reports of severe overcrowding at the prison and a series of drug-related convictions, warning of growing risks to both inmates and prison officers.
Inmates allegedly sleeping on crates
“The situation has gone beyond every limit of human dignity,” the union said.
It alleged that between 20 and 30 inmates are being held in a single cell, with some forced to sleep on potato crates, while prison wings are being sprayed to address bedbug infestations.
Isotita described the conditions as “explosive”, claiming that prison officers have been left without adequate support to manage the situation.
“Our fellow prison officers are left helpless to deal with this chaos and risk their lives every day, trying to maintain the balance in a ticking time bomb,” the statement said.
Union demands action on new prison
The union said authorities have been making announcements about the construction of new prisons for the past eight months, but no tangible progress has been made.
“All we hear are words, meeting after meeting, and plans being postponed from one month to the next, but absolutely no action,” it said.
Isotita warned that the situation poses an immediate and daily risk to prison staff and inmates, calling on the responsible authorities to act “before lives are lost”.
Source: CNA.
