Upcoming Prison Phone Deactivation System
Addressing concerns about illicit inmate communications, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis has announced that a new system deactivating mobile phones in and around the central prisons is expected to be operational within the next 18 months. This development surfaced during a House audit committee session, where the auditor-general’s annual report on the justice ministry was under discussion.
The initiative to prevent inmates from using mobile phones dates back to 2015, with the government awarding a contract for a deactivation system in 2018. However, due to various delays and technological advancements like 5G, the system faced obsolescence before becoming operational. A revised contract in February 2021 set a new deadline, which has also passed without fulfillment.
Amidst these delays, the justice ministry is addressing another critical issue: prison overcrowding. Hartsiotis highlighted ongoing efforts, including the construction of a new building at the open prison site, which should be ready by October, and plans for a new prison complex by 2027. These measures aim to transfer some 240 inmates and provide long-term relief.
In addition to infrastructure updates, Hartsiotis revealed upcoming legislative work to redefine the attorney-general’s office’s functioning. This change, based on a government-commissioned study with input from legal scholars, is touted as one of the most significant legal reforms in the country’s history. The separation of powers remains a focal point in these discussions, as emphasized by MP Irini Charalambidou, advocating for a clear distinction between the attorney-general’s advisory role to the state and prosecutorial duties.
The prison phone deactivation project and legal reforms represent a significant overhaul of the justice system, aiming to enhance security within prison walls and refine legal frameworks for a more robust judiciary.
