Mother complains about lack of breastfeeding facilities at Cyprus Central Prisons

A woman visiting her partner at the Central Prisons in Cyprus has filed a formal complaint regarding the lack of designated, private spaces for breastfeeding her infant. The mother, who has an eight-month-old child, reports that the absence of suitable facilities forces her to either interrupt or cut short her visits, as she has faced inconsistent treatment when requesting privacy. While staff have occasionally accommodated her, in other instances, officers have denied such requests, with one staff member reportedly claiming they were following specific orders and dismissing her concerns as problematic.

The issue dates back several months, with the complainant having filed a formal report to the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights and the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of the Child on May 20, 2026. At the time of the initial report, the infant was four months old. The complainant highlights that despite repeated attempts to resolve the matter directly with the prison administration, no permanent, practical solution has been established. The situation has drawn attention to broader concerns regarding the adequacy of infrastructure for families and infants visiting the correctional facility.