Prison guards union raises safety concerns after staff exposure to biological risk

The ISOTITA union’s Prison Guards Sectoral Council has reported a serious safety incident at the Central Prisons in Cyprus, where a guard was exposed to blood while intervening in a fight between inmates. The guard is currently under medical observation for potential blood-borne disease transmission. Union president Giorgos Maltezos stated that the employee had to intervene with bare hands due to a lack of protective equipment and proper protocols, a situation the union claims occurs frequently.

The union argues that this incident is a direct consequence of long-standing systemic issues, including severe overcrowding, with 1,200 inmates currently housed in facilities designed for 600, and over 150 staff vacancies. Citing reports from the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the union criticized the Ministry of Justice for failing to act on previous written warnings regarding health and safety sent since May 2026.

ISOTITA has now issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Justice, demanding urgent measures including improved staffing, electronic monitoring to reduce prison population, and the implementation of formal safety protocols. The union asserts that the Ministry has prioritized long-term planning over immediate frontline safety needs.