Nicosia, Cyprus. Prison officers’ union Isotita accused Justice Minister Costas Fitiris of staging a “PR stunt” during a recent visit to the central prisons, saying key safety and working-condition concerns remain unresolved.
Visit after fire
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the union said Fitiris visited the prison 48 hours after a fire broke out in Wing 4. It said the damage had already been repaired and additional fire safety measures had been implemented before the minister arrived.
Meeting claim disputed
Isotita rejected what it described as the ministry’s “false and offensive” claim that a meeting with the union’s leadership could not take place because its president and secretary were absent.
The union said five of its officials, including its secretary, were on duty at the prisons during the visit but were “neither sought nor informed” that Fitiris was at the facility. It called on the ministry to withdraw the statement.
Safety concerns
The union questioned who briefed the minister on working conditions and prison safety, saying officers who responded to the fire and those injured during the incident were not given an opportunity to share their experiences or concerns.
It said it had been excluded from discussions on prison safety despite representing frontline staff, adding that prison conditions had already been raised before European and international organisations.
Outstanding issues
Isotita said it was still awaiting written responses from the minister to concerns raised in an earlier statement.
It maintained that major safety problems remain unresolved, alleging that wing doors continue to operate manually, overcrowding persists and prison officers are required to work in conditions that endanger their safety.