Nicosia, Cyprus. Wardens at the central prison will go on strike for 24 hours next Friday, trade union Isotita announced on Wednesday. The union set out demands related to disciplinary proceedings, staffing, and prison management.
Union demands and warning of escalation
Isotita demanded the immediate termination of disciplinary proceedings initiated against its prison wardens’ branch deputy leader Giorgos Maltezos, and called for mandatory consultation with the trade union regarding decisions concerning employees.
The union also called for the immediate revocation of what it described as an illegal order that punishes those who use sick leave by excluding them from overtime.
It requested that an independent prison chief be appointed outside of the army and the police, with proven knowledge and experience in prison policy. Under that prison chief, it said, four officers with specialisation in criminology and personnel management must also be appointed.
The union said it would escalate its measures again, using every legal and democratic means available to the trade union movement, if its demands are not heard.
Disciplinary case and prison conditions raised
Regarding Maltezos, the union said he had publicly highlighted issues of overcrowding, drug trafficking, and understaffing at the prison in December last year, and that since then a methodical process of targeting him has been undertaken.
The union said the prison is seriously understaffed, stating that there is currently one prison warden for every 60 or 70 prisoners, a ratio it said makes the safe operation of the wings impossible.
It added that in some incidents, prison wardens have found themselves locked inside the wings with prisoners, which it said puts staff and prisoners at risk.
What do you think should be prioritised to address staffing and safety concerns at the central prison?
