Limassol Holding Centre Under Scrutiny for Poor Conditions
The Ombudswoman’s office, led by Maria Stylianou-Lottides, has released a concerning report detailing the substandard conditions at the Limassol police holding centre. The findings stem from an unannounced visit on March 26, revealing issues ranging from overcrowding to inadequate facilities.
The facility, with a capacity for 34 individuals, is currently divided into three wings, each designated for different categories of detainees: criminal prisoners and convicts, minors, and administrative detainees. The report highlighted that the cells in the first wing are too small for housing more than one person and that the sanitary facilities are in dire need of repair.
While the wing for minors was deemed borderline satisfactory, its layout was not considered appropriate for underage detainees. However, it was noted that this section is appropriately segregated from the adult wings.
The conditions for administrative detainees were particularly troubling, with poor lighting exacerbated by the absence of windows. Instead, glass bricks that offer no ventilation or natural light have been used, raising concerns about the well-being of these individuals.
The Ombudswoman’s report also addressed the issue of foreign nationals awaiting deportation, emphasizing the need for their immediate transfer to appropriate facilities or, failing that, segregation from other detainees to prevent contact.
Recreational amenities at the centre were found lacking, with detainees having access only to television and no other forms of creative engagement, falling short of international standards. The visiting area also came under criticism for being too small and poorly equipped, with a call for improvements to accommodate family and legal visits more suitably.
Additional recommendations include regular visits by social workers for minors in detention, clear display of prisoners’ rights within cells, increased staffing levels, and specialized training for officers at the holding centre.
The report by the Ombudswoman’s office, which also oversees the prevention of torture, underscores the urgent need for reforms to ensure that conditions at the Limassol holding centre meet acceptable standards for detainee treatment.
