Cyprus’ new correctional facility will be built in Mathiatis, Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris announced before the House Human Rights Committee. The site has been selected as a large, isolated area suitable for the development of modern prison infrastructure.
€300 million project with expanded capacity
The project is estimated to cost €300 million and will have the capacity to accommodate up to 1,500 convicted inmates. The minister confirmed that, following a presentation of the plans, the local community has not raised objections to the construction of the new prison in the area.
Pre-trial detainees to remain in existing facilities
Fytiris clarified that pre-trial detainees will not be transferred to the new facility. Instead, they will continue to be held in two to three dedicated wings within the existing prison complex, located near the courts, in order to facilitate transport to and from judicial proceedings. Currently, around one-third of the approximately 1,160 inmates in Cyprus are pre-trial detainees.
Separately, the minister said that construction of the juvenile detention centre in Limnes is expected to be completed by the end of April. Following completion, minors will be transferred to Menogeia.