The Justice Ministry is pressing ahead with plans for Cyprus’ new prison complex after deciding to move the project from Mathiatis to Agios Sozomenos, maintaining that the change of location will not affect its design or implementation timetable.
The location was finalised following a recent meeting at the ministry, while other procedures relating to the planning, development and financing of the project remain under way.
Three locations were considered
Following the decision to build a new correctional facility, authorities began searching for state-owned land meeting the project’s requirements.
Three locations were shortlisted:
- Mathiatis
- Agios Sozomenos
- A large plot near Marki
All three met the main criteria of being away from densely populated urban areas while providing relatively easy access to and from the motorway.
Mathiatis was initially selected, and the Justice Ministry subsequently entered consultations with the local authorities.
However, as planning progressed, officials concluded that the Agios Sozomenos site offered advantages, particularly because of infrastructure already available in the area.
Ministry says relocation will not cause delays
The Justice Ministry said selection of the final site has been taking place alongside other necessary work relating to the project’s planning, maturation and financing.
It therefore maintains that evaluating and changing the site will not delay preparations.
According to the ministry, Agios Sozomenos was selected following an assessment of technical and financial factors, with particular consideration given to overall cost and the time required to construct supporting infrastructure.
Further technical assessments of the Mathiatis option found that substantial additional infrastructure would have been necessary.
This included a new road network, sewerage and water supply networks and electricity infrastructure, which would have increased both construction costs and the time required for completion.
Local authorities oppose decision
The decision to relocate the new Central Prisons has prompted objections from local authorities.
The municipalities of South Nicosia-Idalion and Latsia-Geri have jointly called on the Justice Ministry to immediately reverse the decision.
Both municipalities said they recognise the need for modern and suitable prison infrastructure but argued that a development of this scale, accommodating more than 1,000 prisoners and hundreds of employees, should be located only after a comprehensive and scientifically documented study.
Such an assessment, they said, should consider existing land uses, environmental and social effects, available infrastructure and the wider needs of the surrounding area.
Capacity for around 1,500 prisoners
The new prison complex is expected to address several longstanding problems at the existing Central Prisons, particularly those associated with ageing infrastructure and overcrowding.
The new facility is planned to accommodate approximately 1,500 prisoners and meet modern requirements for security, functionality and dignified living conditions.
Particular emphasis is also expected to be placed on:
- Education.
- Vocational training.
- Psychosocial support.
- Social reintegration.
One of the main objectives is to create a modern and organised correctional environment that allows more effective implementation of prison policy while improving the prospects for prisoners to reintegrate smoothly into society.
The project is currently estimated to cost between €300 million and €350 million.
Existing prison significantly overcrowded
The existing Central Prisons have an official capacity of approximately 800 people, although the actual prison population is considerably higher.
As part of efforts to tackle overcrowding, authorities are considering allowing offenders serving sentences of up to one year to be released after completing 50% of their sentence, subject to approval by the Parole Board.
Efforts are also being made to extend the arrangement to people serving sentences of up to two years.
Existing facilities to house remand prisoners
Once the new correctional facility becomes operational, the existing Central Prisons are not expected to be abandoned completely.
Plans envisage retaining two or three wings solely for people held on remand while awaiting the conclusion of their court proceedings.
Based on the current population of the Central Prisons, approximately one-third of all inmates are remand prisoners.
The Justice Ministry is therefore maintaining the broader design of the prison reform despite changing its preferred location, while local authorities continue to challenge the decision to build the new complex at Agios Sozomenos.
