More than 900 inmates in Central Prison — union demands urgent recruitment

Güven Bengihan, President of the Civil Servants Trade Union (KTAMS), stated that the total number of inmates and detainees in the old and new buildings of the Central Prison has exceeded 900.

According to him, the workload on staff has reached a critical level, and the current number of wardens is no longer sustainable from the perspective of security or the labor rights of the employees.

Bengihan noted that the announced vacancies — 15 female and 60 male wardens — are insufficient.

According to union estimates, to cover the deficit, the following are needed:

• 106 male wardens
• 29 female wardens

He added that 84 candidates successfully passed the written exam for men, so the number of vacancies should be increased by another 24 to accept all those who passed.

Similarly, for women, it is proposed to increase the number of positions from 15 to 29.

Of particular concern is the fact that in the new prison building, there is a separate wing for inmates under 21, but due to staff shortages, it is not being used.

As a result, minors and young inmates are held together with adults, which, according to the union, increases the risk of recidivism and negatively affects their rehabilitation.

"Instead of a system focused on rehabilitation, young people find themselves in an environment that can contribute to further criminalization," Bengihan stated.

The union called on the Ministry of Interior to urgently resolve the staffing shortage and open the separate wing for young inmates, emphasizing that they will continue to monitor the situation.