Nicosia, Cyprus. The prison guards’ union Isotita (Equality) has claimed that central prisons face a growing security crisis involving violence, drugs, overcrowding and staff shortages, amid an escalating dispute with Justice Minister Costas Fitiris.
The union’s vice president, Giorgos Maltezos, said the prison was becoming increasingly difficult to manage and accused the state of failing to ensure the safety of inmates and staff.
Dismissal dispute
Maltezos’ intervention followed his dismissal from the prison service days earlier. Isotita described the decision as retaliatory and an attempt to silence representatives who publicly raise concerns about prison conditions.
Fitiris rejected claims that the dismissal was linked to Maltezos’ trade union activity, saying it concerned repeated non-compliance with workplace regulations.
The minister said trade union activity remained protected but required authorisation during working hours. He added that a ministry disciplinary investigation had supported the termination of employment and that Maltezos could challenge the decision in court.
Reported incidents
Maltezos cited two fights in separate prison wings on Wednesday, including one that allegedly left an inmate seriously injured. He said the incidents reflected a wider pattern rather than isolated events.
He also referred to a reported rape allegation involving an inmate in September 2025, a violent clash involving improvised weapons in June, and a fire in the maximum-security Wing 4 last month. A prison officer was hospitalised after suffering smoke inhalation during the fire.
The union also highlighted an incident in which a prison officer was exposed to an inmate’s blood while intervening in a violent altercation. The officer is undergoing repeated medical examinations due to the risk of contracting a communicable disease.
Staffing and drugs concerns
Maltezos alleged that drug trafficking remained an ongoing problem within the prison.
He also pointed to observations by the Council of Europe’s committee for the prevention of torture, which has previously raised concerns that staffing shortages undermine effective control inside the prison.
