Anti-Torture Report Sheds Light on Alarming Prison Conditions
In a recent anti-torture report, the Council of Europe has raised significant concerns regarding the deteriorating situation for prisoners in the Nicosia central prisons. The findings, published on a Friday, have brought to light the harsh realities of overcrowding and violence within the prison walls, with conditions forcing inmates into cramped and inhumane living spaces.
The report paints a grim picture of the prison environment, where up to four inmates are squeezed into five-square-metre cells. The lack of space has led to prisoners sleeping under tables and resorting to urinating in plastic bottles due to restricted toilet access at night. Despite the majority of prisoners not reporting ill-treatment by staff, there is a palpable fear for safety among them.
Allegations of staff using slaps and punches as informal punishment have emerged, with one incident involving a metal bar that resulted in a prisoner’s fractured arm. The report also detailed instances of staff carrying wooden sticks, allegedly used to intimidate prisoners.
More concerning are the reports of racist behavior against prisoners and serious inter-prisoner violence, including a murder in Block 1A in October 2022. The committee has urged prison management to review its violence prevention strategy, noting that certain areas prone to violent incidents lack CCTV coverage.
The overcrowding issue is stark, with some blocks operating at more than 300% capacity. This has been exacerbated by the allowance of smoking in communal areas, exposing many prisoners to passive smoking. The lack of front-line staff has also been highlighted as a contributing factor to the rise of informal prisoner hierarchies and unreported disciplinary incidents.
In response to these alarming findings, Cyprus has acknowledged the overpopulation issue and anticipates improvements following planned prison infrastructure expansions. The prison department has also stated its firm stance against racism and discriminatory treatment.
The report is based on a visit conducted from May 9 to 17, 2023, and includes concerns over the degrading treatment of migrants, which contravenes international human rights law. As the findings circulate among human rights advocates and policymakers, the spotlight on Nicosia central prisons intensifies, prompting calls for immediate reforms to ensure the humane treatment of all prisoners.
