Justice Minister Costas Fitiris outlined the plans for the new central prison on the outskirts of Mathiatis during a meeting with the community council on Wednesday evening.
Fitiris explained the government’s reasoning and stressed the need for modern prison facilities to be built outside urban areas.
These new facilities, he said, would meet the requirements of security, functionality and human rights.
He furthermore told the Mathiatis community council that the project would also promote development in the area, creating new financial activities and employment opportunities for the residents.
“The operation of the complex will entail increased mobility in the area, which is expected to strengthen local entrepreneurship and services,” he pointed out.
In an announcement, the justice ministry said “a substantive discussion followed, during which the members of the community council had the opportunity to ask questions and record their initial opinions.”
“It was agreed that the master plan of the project would be presented in detail to the community in the coming period, in order to provide a complete picture and to allow for the formulation of positions and suggestions,” the ministry said.
Fitiris reiterated that the state is proceeding with transparency, dialogue and respect for local communities, with the aim of implementing a project that constituted a significant investment for the state and the security of the people.
On Monday, Fitiris had told the House human rights committee that the new central prison would be constructed on the outskirts of Mathiatis, following widespread overcrowding at existing facilities.
Shortly afterwards, Mathiatis community leader Theodoros Tsatsos told the Cyprus Mail that the new central prison could only be constructed there if the community agreed to it.
On Tuesday, Fitiris assured that the new central prison in Mathiatis would go ahead. “We have to start somewhere,” he insisted.
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