large inflatable swimming pool has been placed in the women’s wing of the Nicosia Central Prisons as part of an effort to stop inmates getting bored.
According to Prisons Governor Anna Aristotelous, the pool was installed as part of efforts to give the women something to do as their wing is too small to provide a range of activities. Aristotelous said the inmates also “had a gym at their disposal and had the opportunity to attend classes in zumba, yoga and body combat” – which marries martial arts with aerobics and dancing.
They also have art, singing, secretarial support, beauty care, make-up artistry and nutrition classes.
A spate of suicides and attempted suicides at the prison in the last few years had prompted a change of approach, ushering in more contemporary measures to reform convicts and prepare them for re-introduction into society.
Images of the pool have been making the rounds on social media platforms sparking debate and even anger from those accusing the state of providing too many comforts to inmates in prison for serious crimes including murder.
Others took it with a pinch of salt, saying the luxuries would prepare former politicians and government officials who had been convicted of crimes more easily return to the comfort of their daily lives once they were released.