Central prison overcrowded: police forced to change detention rules
In Cyprus, the problem of overcrowded police cells and the Central Prison has worsened — internal service documents show that the police have been struggling with the overload for several months.
Initially, the management prohibited placing two detainees in one cell, but in September the rules were changed, allowing double occupancy "in extreme cases."
The reason is that the Central Prison is overcrowded: it houses over 1,200 people, more than half of whom are foreigners. Due to the lack of space, authorities have designated 14 police lockups as temporary prisons, where both suspects and convicts are now held.
The prison staff union warns that there is roughly one guard for every 30 inmates instead of the standard 15, and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture has already expressed concern about the detention conditions. The Ministry of Justice promises to build a new wing with 360 places, but it will not be ready for at least two years.
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