A press release issued on Wednesday by the Sectoral Council of Prison Guards of the Pancyprian Union ISOTITA delivers an urgent warning about conditions in the Nicosia Central Prisons. The union describes a system under extreme pressure with risks to both staff and inmates, noting that the situation has evolved into a serious public safety threat.
Overcrowding and ageing infrastructure
The Council states that overcrowding has reached uncontrollable levels in facilities that have endured decades of deterioration. According to the announcement, prison guards are required to carry out correctional duties in an environment that no longer provides even the minimum operational and safety standards.
Escalating violence and criminal activity
Recurring incidents of violence, murders and criminal plans organised from within the prison are described as unacceptable for a European state governed by the rule of law. The announcement notes that these events reflect a complete breakdown of internal control mechanisms.
Guards placed in policing roles
The union stresses that prison guards are not police officers. Their role is the custody, management and rehabilitation of inmates. When staff are forced to take part in enforcement activities such as searches or the confiscation of prohibited items, they become direct targets for criminal networks. The Council warns that these conditions expose guards and their families to significant danger and undermine broader social stability.
Impact on reintegration programmes
According to the announcement, such practices violate the correctional mission of the institution and erode the minimal trust needed to support reintegration efforts. The union reiterates that control operations must be conducted exclusively by the Police or by an independent, specialised security body within the prisons that does not engage in inmate management.
Dangerous mix of inmates
The Council highlights that the cohabitation of remand prisoners, convicted offenders, minor offenders and high-risk inmates in shared wings functions as a time bomb. This arrangement fuels violence, strengthens organised crime and leads to a loss of control. With the guard workforce severely understaffed, the union says it is impossible to guarantee safety for inmates or staff.
Call for a new correctional facility
Small adjustments or temporary fixes are no longer sufficient, according to the union. The existing prison complex has reached the end of its operational life. The Council calls for the construction of a new correctional facility located outside residential areas and beyond the UN buffer zone. This, they say, must meet all European standards on security, living conditions and working conditions.
Appeal to the Government and institutions
The press release urges the Government and all competent authorities to act immediately. The Council states that no further tragedy should find the state unprepared or indifferent, and stresses that previous warnings have already been issued repeatedly. This announcement, they note, constitutes a final alert to prevent loss of life in the line of duty.
Responsibility and ongoing advocacy
The release concludes that responsibility for safety within the prisons lies entirely with those who have the authority to make decisions and continue to delay. The Council affirms that it will keep raising its voice until safety, dignity and respect for the work of prison guards are fully safeguarded.