Cyprus ministry pushes forward with new prison construction in Agios Sozomenos

The Cypriot Ministry of Justice, led by Minister Kostas Fytiris, has reaffirmed its commitment to building a new central prison facility in the area of Agios Sozomenos. Despite public reactions and opposition from local authorities, the ministry asserts that the project will proceed as planned, maintaining that the recent change in site from Mathiatis to Agios Sozomenos does not impact established timelines or overall goals.

The new facility is designed to accommodate 1,750 inmates, significantly expanding upon current infrastructure that currently houses approximately 1,200 people in facilities built for 650–700. The project is envisioned as a self-sufficient community, featuring vocational training workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, and a small medical facility. Minister Fytiris clarified that only convicted prisoners will be housed at the new location; those awaiting trial, who constitute about 30% of the current prison population (roughly 400 individuals), will remain at the existing site in Nicosia to facilitate court access and alleviate overcrowding.

While local authorities have raised objections, the ministry has invited them to review the master plan once finalized, emphasizing that legitimate concerns will be addressed through potential adjustments, though the government refuses to accept a blanket rejection of the site. The project remains a central component of the government's strategy to modernize the country's penal system.