Nicosia: The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has expressed significant concerns regarding the safety of inmates and the conditions within Nicosia Central Prisons. In a report published today, the Committee highlighted issues of inter-prisoner violence and inadequacies in staff response during its April 2025 ad hoc visit to Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the CPT’s visit assessed the treatment and conditions of detainees across several facilities, including Nicosia Central Prisons, police establishments, the First Reception Centre of Pournara, and Larnaca’s airport holding facility. The report noted that while some progress had been made since prior visits in 2017 and 2023, persistent deficiencies continue to undermine the prison environment.
The CPT’s report identified ongoing high levels of inter-prisoner violence at Nicosia Central Prisons, exacerbated by a shortage of front-line officers, which has allowed dominant prisoner groups to impose informal punishments. The Committee urged Cypriot authorities to improve staffing levels and review violence prevention policies to restore safety and order.
Living conditions at the prison were also criticized. Overcrowding is severe, with up to four prisoners occupying cells designed for one, forcing some to sleep on mattresses on the floor. Additionally, inadequate toilet access forces prisoners to resort to degrading practices, such as using bottles and bags for waste.
The report also highlighted the unsuitable and unhygienic conditions faced by minors and young adults in the prison, with a lack of educational and recreational activities. The CPT called for their immediate transfer to appropriate facilities for minors. The committee also recommended adopting a gender-specific approach for women prisoners to address their unique needs.
Healthcare services at Nicosia Central Prisons were found to be inadequate, with calls for improved medical confidentiality and comprehensive policies for suicide prevention and substance use.
Concerns were also raised about prolonged detention in police custody, often in conditions suitable only for short-term stays. While most detainees reported correct treatment by police, some allegations of ill-treatment persisted, prompting the CPT to advocate for a zero-tolerance policy.
The report noted improvements at the First Reception Centre of Pournara since 2023 but flagged prolonged stays for asylum seekers awaiting age assessments. The CPT emphasized that detention should be a last resort and called for better protection for vulnerable individuals.
The Committee urged the Cypriot authorities to provide individualised detention orders for asylum seekers and to end the detention of children promptly.