Municipalities object to proposed central prison site in Ayios Sozomenos

Nicosia, Cyprus. Representatives of South Nicosia-Dali and Yeri-Latsia municipalities objected to locating a new central prison in their area during a meeting with justice ministry officials on Tuesday. The ministry said a final decision would follow completion of the project’s masterplan and the necessary studies.

Studies and consultation

The ministry said the final decision on implementing the project would be taken after Justice Minister Costas Fitiris’ masterplan and the necessary technical, environmental and other studies are completed, and all data is fully evaluated.

The findings will then be presented to local authorities, followed by consultation to ensure their views and documented suggestions are considered before the design is finalised.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the parties expressed concerns, exchanged views and agreed to continue dialogue throughout the subsequent planning stages.

“The common goal is to continue a sincere and productive dialogue, with mutual respect and responsibility, so that the final decision serves the needs of the state and at the same time takes seriously the needs and reasonable concerns of local communities,” the ministry said.

Proposed site and earlier plans

The new central prison is planned for a state-owned plot in Ayios Sozomenos, bordering the two Nicosia municipalities.

Fitiris initially outlined plans to build the prison on the outskirts of Mathiatis. Those plans were scrapped on “cost and time criteria” following a meeting at the ministry in mid-September.

The minister had previously said the project’s masterplan envisaged facilities that would promote development in the area, create employment opportunities and strengthen local entrepreneurship.

Capacity and overcrowding

The new facility is expected to cost around €300 million and accommodate 1,500 inmates, including pre-trial detainees.

The current central prison, in the Ayios Dhometios area of Nicosia, houses 1,177 prisoners and has exceeded its capacity, with longstanding overcrowding problems.

According to the EU statistics agency Eurostat, prison cells in the Republic are the most overcrowded in the European Union, with an occupancy rate of 227.6 per cent.