Audit report reveals systemic failures at central prisons

A 2024-2025 Audit Office report on the prison department highlights severe administrative and operational flaws. Auditors identified significant overcrowding, exacerbated by a 15-20% recidivism rate and the underutilization of electronic monitoring devices. A major concern involves the abuse of sick leave, exemplified by one guard who claimed 200 days of absence using 111 medical certificates, despite only six recorded visits in the national health system (GeSY). Such irregularities suggest potential collusion between staff and doctors to defraud the state. Furthermore, the report notes a complete lack of operational protocols for critical incidents like escapes or riots. Management of human resources is also criticized, with guards performing non-security tasks and pervasive issues in logging attendance leading to inaccurate overtime payments. Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou has indicated that these matters will be referred to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.