Typos

New 1,250-Capacity Prison Planned Outside Urban Areas Within Five Years, Says Justice Minister

Published February 9, 2026, 17:29
New 1,250-Capacity Prison Planned Outside Urban Areas Within Five Years, Says Justice Minister

Minister of Justice and Public Order Kostas Fytiris announced the construction of a new 1,250-capacity prison outside urban areas within five years, in response to the need to upgrade Cyprus's correctional system. The new correctional facility will be built on 500,000 square meters of state land in central Cyprus, with easy access from all provinces and with strict security measures, including a “dead zone” around the facilities. The new prison will include three distinct types: a high-security closed prison for serious crimes, a semi-open prison for lower-risk inmates with controlled freedom, and an open prison for productive activity and reintegration. The Minister of Justice stated that consultations will be held with nearby communities before the official announcement of the exact location, expressing optimism that there will be no objections due to the benefits that will accrue to local communities. Mr. Fytiris highlighted the problems of existing prisons, such as limited capacity and limited rehabilitation opportunities. At the same time, he announced immediate actions to improve the existing situation, such as a competition for the recruitment of 90 prison guards and the implementation of modern security technologies. In summary, the government is promoting the construction of new, modern prisons with increased capacity and improved detention conditions, while strengthening staff and utilizing new technologies to upgrade the Cypriot correctional system.