Newsroom
Tensions are growing at Cyprus’ Central Prisons ahead of a 24-hour strike planned for Friday by the Isotita union, with prison guards and government officials publicly clashing over working conditions, discipline cases, and safety concerns behind bars.
The strike will be accompanied by a protest outside the Justice Ministry.
The union says the action is being taken in response to what it describes as the unfair disciplinary targeting of prison guard and union official Georgios Maltezou, as well as ongoing problems including overcrowding, staff shortages, and the circulation of drugs and mobile phones inside prisons.
Government officials, however, reject many of the accusations and say the situation could have been handled through talks instead of industrial action.
Officials told the Cyprus News Agency that while workers have the right to strike, the move risks placing additional pressure on prison staff who will remain on duty and could affect prison operations.
Authorities insist the disciplinary investigation against Maltezou has nothing to do with his union role and instead concerns repeated absences from work.
According to officials, Maltezou has continued to take time off twice a week, citing union responsibilities, despite a government circular stating that union activity does not automatically entitle public employees to fixed time away from work unless approved for specific duties.
The dispute has exposed wider frustrations inside the prison system.
The union argues prisons are operating under intense pressure, with too few guards and growing security concerns linked to drugs and contraband phones.
Government officials say steps are already being taken to address the problems.
They noted that 90 prison guard positions have already been advertised, recruitment exams were held earlier this month, and the process of appointing a new prisons director is underway.
Authorities also say security measures have been tightened in recent months, leading to the confiscation of dozens of mobile phones and quantities of drugs.
Officials added that legislation was recently strengthened to make the possession, transport, and use of drugs or mobile phones inside prisons, by inmates, visitors or staff, a criminal offense.
An anti-drone system has also reportedly been installed after authorities detected drones being used to transport illegal items into the prison complex.
On overcrowding, the government pointed to plans for new prison facilities in Mathiatis, which officials say are intended to ease long-term pressure on the system.
Meanwhile, the union has formally complained to Maria Stylianou-Lottides, accusing prison authorities of retaliation and harassment against Maltezou because of his public criticism of prison conditions.
The union is calling for an investigation, claiming there is an attempt to silence union voices inside the prison system.
The Justice Ministry has not publicly commented on the complaint.
