Isotita union disputes Minister of Justice regarding Central Prison conditions

On June 16, 2026, the ISOTITA prison guards' union issued an open letter to the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Konstantinos Fytiris. The union responded to the Minister's recent public statements concerning the operation of the Central Prisons. ISOTITA claims that the Minister's assertions are disconnected from the daily reality faced by staff and inmates. The union highlights critical issues including severe overcrowding, understaffing, and safety risks. Minister Fytiris publicly acknowledged in a television interview that the prisons are currently full and that there are significant challenges regarding facility capacity. ISOTITA asserts that these official admissions confirm the union's long-standing warnings about systemic failures. The union further cites court decisions and European reports to substantiate their position, calling for an immediate and substantive dialogue with the state. The letter emphasizes the need for urgent measures to address the dangerous conditions reported by correctional officers.