Critical conditions and overcrowding reported at Nicosia Central Prisons

Serious concerns have been raised regarding living conditions in Wing 4 of the Nicosia Central Prisons, a high-security facility housing dangerous offenders. A formal complaint, submitted to the Commissioner for Human Rights, alleges that inmates are forced to eat off toilet lids using cardboard due to a lack of tables. Furthermore, inmates report a lack of emergency buttons, leaving them vulnerable during violent incidents, which have historically included homicides within this wing.

Simultaneously, data reveals significant overcrowding at the correctional facility. As of April 9, 2026, the prison housed 1,177 inmates against an official capacity of 911, an increase from 1,123 inmates recorded on April 1, 2025. Approximately one-third of the population currently consists of remand prisoners, some of whom are held in police stations due to a lack of space. Despite monthly data collection by the state, critics argue there is a lack of transparent, comprehensive reporting on prison capacity and detention durations. The reported conditions and systemic overcrowding continue to draw scrutiny regarding the state's management of the facility.