Density in Cyprus’ Central Prison decreases

Cyprus is among the member states of the Council of Europe, which released the highest proportion of prisoners as a preventive measure during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a research compiled by the University of Lausanne for the Council of Europe, prison population in Cyprus decreased by 16% by April 15, 2020, compared to January 1, 2020. This in turn decreased density in Cyprus’ Central Prison overcrowded cells, the study shows.

Prison administrations across the continent released over 118,000 inmates in the early stages of the pandemic, says the SPACE II study published on Thursday. Excluding countries with less than 500,000 inhabitants, those which released the highest proportions of prisoners were Turkey (35%), Cyprus (16%), Slovenia (16%), Portugal (15%), Norway (13%), Ireland (12%), Italy (9.4%) and Spain (7.4%).

France released 14% of its prison population (10,188 inmates) but this includes all releases and not only those related to preventing COVID-19. The countries which released the highest numbers of inmates were Turkey (102,944), Italy (5,739), Spain (4,356) and Portugal (1,874).

According to the study, Cyprus reported a total of 762 inmates on January 1, 2020, of which 121 were released as a preventive measure related to COVID-19. As a result, prison density per 100 places fell from 134.6 on January 1 to 108.8 on April 15. The total number of inmates, including pre-trial detainees, decreased to 616 in April 15, with a reported capacity of the penal institution of 566.

The report notes that one COVID-19 diagnosed inmate was a newly admitted inmate on 7th April 2020 who was brought to prison from the police detention centre. He was immediately placed in a quarantine place until the next day when he tested positive to the COVID-19 test. This inmate had no contacts with other inmates, it is added. Since March 2020, all newly admitted inmates are tested for COVID-19 before their admission in detention. Since 10th April 2020, admissions of inmates from police detention centres are not accepted unless they are tested negative for COVID-19.

A relevant announcement says that according to the SPACE II annual survey, on January 31, 2019, there were around 2 million people in Europe subject to alternative methods to imprisonment such as electronic monitoring, community service, home arrest, treatments, semi-liberty or conditional release.

The SPACE II survey was published together with a special SPACE I report on Prisoners in Europe in Pandemic Times. This report includes an evaluation of the short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European prison populations up to 15 April 2020, a period which roughly coincides with the first month of lockdown, it is noted.